The House of Representatives has passed an amendment to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would direct the Department of Defense to share intelligence “with former Afghan Army and police units still in Afghanistan or other existing resistance units for the purposes of resisting the Taliban.”
The measure, introduced by Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., was adopted by voice vote during consideration of the annual defense bill in September.
The amendment states: “The Secretary of Defense shall provide such intelligence sharing as the Secretary determines appropriate with units of the former Afghan Army and police forces, as well as other units the Secretary determines are resistance units, for purposes of countering the Taliban.”
Aimed at aiding anti-Taliban groups
The provision would allow former members of Afghanistan’s army and police, as well as other armed groups deemed by the Pentagon to be “resistance units,” to receive U.S. intelligence support. Proponents said the step represents a first move toward renewed U.S. engagement with anti-Taliban groups following the withdrawal of American forces in August 2021.
The measure leaves broad discretion to the secretary of defense to decide which groups qualify as resistance units and what intelligence will be shared.
The amendment still requires Senate approval and must survive negotiations over the final version of the NDAA before becoming law.
