Latest news with #SIGAR
Arab News
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
US weapons abandoned in Afghanistan were used in Pakistan train hijacking last month — report
ISLAMABAD: Militants used weapons abandoned by US forces in Afghanistan during a deadly train hijacking last month in southwestern Pakistan, a report by international newspaper 'The Washington Post' said on Monday. Pakistan has voiced its concerns over the presence of advanced US weapons in Afghanistan which Washington has sought to be returned by Kabul's Afghan Taliban rulers. Islamabad has urged the United Nations to recover these weapons, warning that militant groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) were gaining access to them. BLA militants stormed the Jaffar Express train in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province last month, holding hundreds of passengers hostage. The military said it killed 33 militants in a rescue operation that lasted over 24 hours. It said the hijacking killed 31 soldiers, staff and civilians. As per the report, Pakistani officials gave The Post access to dozens of weapons in May that they said were seized from captured or killed militants. After months of inquiries, The Post said the US Army and the Pentagon confirmed that 63 weapons shown to reporters had been provided by the US government to Afghan forces. 'After the March 11 train attack by Baloch militants, which claimed at least 26 lives, Pakistani officials provided serial numbers for three US rifles allegedly used by the attackers,' the report said. 'At least two came from US stocks and had been provided to Afghan forces, according to records obtained by The Post through the Freedom of Information Act.' Of the 63 weapons shown by Pakistani officials, the post said most were M16 rifles, alongside several, more-modern M4 carbine models. It said Pakistani officials also displayed a handful of PVS14 night-vision devices, which are used throughout the American armed forces but could not be independently verified as former US government property. It said these weapons left behind by American forces found themselves in the hands of militants after being traded along Pakistan's porous border with Afghanistan at illicit weapons bazaars. The Post cited a 2023 report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR, which estimated in 2023 that when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, over $7 billion in American military equipment was still in the country. The report said SIGAR concluded the US military had an uneven record of keeping track of weapons provided to the Afghans, which was exacerbated by its 'abrupt and uncoordinated' withdrawal in 2021. The report said SIGAR estimated more than a quarter-million rifles were left behind by US forces during their withdrawal from Afghanistan, enough to arm the entire US Marine Corps as well as nearly 18,000 night-vision goggles. 'Just after the Taliban takeover, the latest night-vision devices were sold at a scrap rate,' Raz Muhammad, a Pakistani weapons trader, was quoted by The Post. The report quoted a Pakistan Army major, Zaheer Hassan, as saying that insurgents have paired night vision and thermal equipment with small drones to attack troops with more precision. 'The battle has become much more dangerous,' Hassan said, according to The Post. Pakistan's foreign office said this month that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed during a telephonic conversation with Pakistan's deputy prime minister on the need to resolve the issue of US Military equipment left behind in Afghanistan. Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in its western regions that border Afghanistan in recent years, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement and insist that Pakistan's security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hawley calls for watchdog over Ukraine aid after Democrats blocked previous effort
FIRST ON FOX: Amidst a war of words between President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sen. Josh Hawley is pitching legislation that would install a special inspector general for Ukraine aid. Hawley, R-Mo., is reintroducing legislation he sponsored along with Vice President J.D. Vance, when Vance was in the Senate, for an independent watchdog to audit the more than $174 billion that Congress has appropriated for Ukraine aid. The Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance Act was voted down by the then-Democratic-controlled Senate when Hawley first introduced it in 2023. But with Republican control of both chambers of Congress and President Donald Trump's increasing frustration over Ukraine aid, Hawley believes it now has a chance of becoming law. "American taxpayers shouldn't have to wonder where their billions in aid to Ukraine went and what they're funding there now. They deserve an accounting of every penny Congress shipped over there," Hawley said in a statement. Waltz Says Ukraine Should 'Tone Down' Criticism Of Trump The watchdog would be similar to those created for Afghanistan reconstruction, known as SIGAR, and one created to investigate CARES Act fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as SIGPR, and another created after the 2008 financial crisis to audit the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP). Read On The Fox News App Under Hawley's bill, an inspector general's office for Ukraine would conduct oversight of aid programs run by the Department of Defense, State Department, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The legislation would siphon dollars from the Ukraine Economic Assistance Fund for the office, and the inspector general would be required to submit quarterly reports to Congress on the office's findings. Gop Senators Back Trump's Demand For Ukraine Elections, But Won't Call Zelenskyy 'Dictator' Hawley's action comes as tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy reached a fever pitch this week after Trump called the Ukrainian leader a "dictator" who "never should have started" the war. Zelenskyy in turn said Trump is operating in a "disinformation space." This week, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz sat down with their Russian counterparts and agreed to increase their diplomatic presences in each other's nations. Hawley, while veering away from calling Zelenskyy a "dictator," backed up Trump's assertion that Ukraine needed to hold elections, even in a time of war. Trump Calls Ukraine's Zelenskyy A 'Dictator Without Elections' As Rift Widens "We held elections during World War II," Hawley said. "If they're a democracy, they should hold elections. I don't think that's difficult." "[Zelenskyy] is the elected leader of the country," said Hawley. "But, you know, at a certain point you've got to hold elections." Trump has been pushing Zelenskyy to pay up for past U.S. support. Last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent traveled to Ukraine to hand the Ukrainian president a draft deal entitling the U.S. to hundreds of billions worth of its minerals. National security adviser Mike Waltz said on Thursday that Ukraine needs to "tone it down" and sign the mineral deal. "We presented the Ukrainians really an incredible and historic opportunity to have the United States of America co-invest with Ukraine, invest in its economy, invest in its natural resources and really become a partner in Ukraine's future in a way that's sustainable, but also would be – I think – the best security guarantee they could ever hope for, much more than another pallet of ammunition," he article source: Hawley calls for watchdog over Ukraine aid after Democrats blocked previous effort
Fox News
20-02-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Hawley calls for watchdog over Ukraine aid after Democrats blocked previous effort
FIRST ON FOX: Amidst a war of words between President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sen. Josh Hawley is pitching legislation that would install a special inspector general for Ukraine aid. Hawley, R-Mo., is reintroducing legislation he sponsored along with Vice President J.D. Vance, when Vance was in the Senate, for an independent watchdog to audit the more than $174 billion that Congress has appropriated for Ukraine aid. The Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance Act was voted down by the then-Democratic-controlled Senate when Hawley first introduced it in 2023. But with Republican control of both chambers of Congress and President Donald Trump's increasing frustration over Ukraine aid, Hawley believes it now has a chance of becoming law. "American taxpayers shouldn't have to wonder where their billions in aid to Ukraine went and what they're funding there now. They deserve an accounting of every penny Congress shipped over there," Hawley said in a statement. The watchdog would be similar to those created for Afghanistan reconstruction, known as SIGAR, and one created to investigate CARES Act fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as SIGPR, and another created after the 2008 financial crisis to audit the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP). Under Hawley's bill, an inspector general's office for Ukraine would conduct oversight of aid programs run by the Department of Defense, State Department, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The legislation would siphon dollars from the Ukraine Economic Assistance Fund for the office, and the inspector general would be required to submit quarterly reports to Congress on the office's findings. And as Congress hashes out a budget blueprint, Hawley has issued a warning to Senate leaders not to try to "slip in" Ukraine aid. "We shouldn't be giving a dime more to Ukraine. We should be auditing the billions we've already given them," he said. Hawley's action comes as tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy reached a fever pitch this week after Trump called the Ukrainian leader a "dictator" who "never should have started" the war. Zelenskyy in turn said Trump is operating in a "disinformation space." This week, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz sat down with their Russian counterparts and agreed to increase their diplomatic presences in each other's nations. Hawley, while veering away from calling Zelenskyy a "dictator," backed up Trump's assertion that Ukraine needed to hold elections, even in a time of war. "We held elections during World War II," Hawley said. "If they're a democracy, they should hold elections. I don't think that's difficult." "[Zelenskyy] is the elected leader of the country," said Hawley. "But, you know, at a certain point you've got to hold elections." Trump has been pushing Zelenskyy to pay up for past U.S. support. Last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent traveled to Ukraine to hand the Ukrainian president a draft deal entitling the U.S. to hundreds of billions worth of its minerals. National security adviser Mike Waltz said on Thursday that Ukraine needs to "tone it down" and sign the mineral deal. "We presented the Ukrainians really an incredible and historic opportunity to have the United States of America co-invest with Ukraine, invest in its economy, invest in its natural resources and really become a partner in Ukraine's future in a way that's sustainable, but also would be – I think – the best security guarantee they could ever hope for, much more than another pallet of ammunition," he said.
Fox News
20-02-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Hawley calls for watchdog over Ukraine aid, reigniting push blocked by Democrats last year
FIRST ON FOX: Amidst a war of words between President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sen. Josh Hawley is pitching legislation that would install a special inspector general for Ukraine aid. Hawley, R-Mo., is reintroducing legislation he sponsored along with Vice President J.D. Vance, when Vance was in the Senate, for an independent watchdog to audit the more than $174 billion that Congress has appropriated for Ukraine aid. The Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance Act was voted down by the then-Democratic-controlled Senate when Hawley first introduced it in 2023. But with Republican control of both chambers of Congress and President Donald Trump's increasing frustration over Ukraine aid, Hawley believes it now has a chance of becoming law. "American taxpayers shouldn't have to wonder where their billions in aid to Ukraine went and what they're funding there now. They deserve an accounting of every penny Congress shipped over there," Hawley said in a statement. The watchdog would be similar to those created for Afghanistan reconstruction, known as SIGAR, and one created to investigate CARES Act fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as SIGPR, and another created after the 2008 financial crisis to audit the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP). Under Hawley's bill, an inspector general's office for Ukraine would conduct oversight of aid programs run by the Department of Defense, State Department, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The legislation would siphon dollars from the Ukraine Economic Assistance Fund for the office, and the inspector general would be required to submit quarterly reports to Congress on the office's findings. And as Congress hashes out a budget blueprint, Hawley has issued a warning to Senate leaders not to try to "slip in" Ukraine aid. "We shouldn't be giving a dime more to Ukraine. We should be auditing the billions we've already given them," he said. Hawley's action comes as tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy reached a fever pitch this week after Trump called the Ukrainian leader a "dictator" who "never should have started" the war. Zelenskyy in turn said Trump is operating in a "disinformation space." This week, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz sat down with their Russian counterparts and agreed to increase their diplomatic presences in each other's nations. Hawley, while veering away from calling Zelenskyy a "dictator," backed up Trump's assertion that Ukraine needed to hold elections, even in a time of war. "We held elections during World War II," Hawley said. "If they're a democracy, they should hold elections. I don't think that's difficult." "[Zelenskyy] is the elected leader of the country," said Hawley. "But, you know, at a certain point you've got to hold elections." Trump has been pushing Zelenskyy to pay up for past U.S. support. Last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent traveled to Ukraine to hand the Ukrainian president a draft deal entitling the U.S. to hundreds of billions worth of its minerals. National security adviser Mike Waltz said on Thursday that Ukraine needs to "tone it down" and sign the mineral deal. "We presented the Ukrainians really an incredible and historic opportunity to have the United States of America co-invest with Ukraine, invest in its economy, invest in its natural resources and really become a partner in Ukraine's future in a way that's sustainable, but also would be – I think – the best security guarantee they could ever hope for, much more than another pallet of ammunition," he said.
Fox News
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Hawley calls for watchdog over Ukraine aid, picking up where Vance left off
FIRST ON FOX: Amidst a war of words between President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sen. Josh Hawley is pitching legislation that would install a special inspector general for Ukraine aid. Hawley, R-Mo., is reintroducing legislation he sponsored along with Vice President J.D. Vance, when Vance was in the Senate, for an independent watchdog to audit the over-$174 billion Congress has appropriated for Ukraine aid. The Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance Act was voted down by the then-Democratic-controlled Senate when Hawley first introduced it in 2023. But with Republican control of both chambers of Congress and President Donald Trump's increasing frustration over Ukraine aid, Hawley believes it now has a chance of becoming law. "American taxpayers shouldn't have to wonder where their billions in aid to Ukraine went and what they're funding there now. They deserve an accounting of every penny Congress shipped over there," Hawley said in a statement. The watchdog would be similar to those created for Afghanistan reconstruction, known as SIGAR, and one created to investigate CARES Act fraud during the Covid-19 pandemic, known as SIGPR, and another created after the 2008 financial crisis to audit the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP). Under Hawley's bill, an inspector general office for Ukraine would conduct oversight of aid programs run by the Defense Department, State Department, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The legislation would siphon dollars from the Ukraine Economic Assistance Fund for the office and the inspector general would be required to submit quarterly reports to Congress on the office's findings. And as Congress hashes out a budget blueprint, Hawley has issued a warning to Senate leaders not to try to "slip in" Ukraine aid. "We shouldn't be giving a dime more to Ukraine. We should be auditing the billions we've already given them," he said. Hawley's action comes as tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy reached a fever pitch this week after Trump called the Ukrainian leader a "dictator" who "never should have started" the war. Zelenskyy in turn said Trump is operating in a "disinformation space." This week, Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz sat down with their Russian counterparts and agreed to increase their diplomatic presences in each other's nations. Hawley, while veering away from calling Zelenskyy a "dictator," backed up Trump's assertion that Ukraine needed to hold elections, even in a time of war. "We held elections during World War II," Hawley said. "If they're a democracy, they should hold elections. I don't think that's difficult." "[Zelenskyy] is the elected leader of the country," said Hawley. "But, you know, at a certain point you've got to hold elections." Trump has been pushing Zelenskyy to pay up for past U.S. support. Last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent traveled to Ukraine to hand the Ukrainian president a draft deal entitling the U.S. to hundreds of billions worth of its minerals. National security adviser Mike Waltz said Thursday Ukraine needs to "tone it down" and sign the mineral deal. "We presented the Ukrainians really an incredible and historic opportunity to have the United States of America co-invest with Ukraine, invest in its economy, invest in its natural resources and really become a partner in Ukraine's future in a way that's sustainable, but also would be – I think – the best security guarantee they could ever hope for, much more than another pallet of ammunition," he said.
