The Taliban on Monday slammed the US after American surveillance drones were seen flying over Kandahar.
Local media outlets reported that American-origin Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were cited in Kandahar and many other Afghan provinces, namely Badakhshan, Kunar, Laghman, and Panjshir.
"These aircraft are undoubtedly associated with America, flying over the airspace of some neighboring countries and coming to Afghanistan, and everyone should understand their responsibilities in this regard and stop the trespassing," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters in Kabul.
"Furthermore, we urge nations that facilitate these flights through their airspace to discontinue supporting this process," added.
The presence of US drones in Kandahar is significant for Afghanistan's present rulers because the Taliban's supreme leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada resides in the city.
Interestingly, this isn't the first time the Taliban has accused the US of violating its airspace with similar allegations also made in 2022 and 2023.
*under UN sanctions for terrorism