The US House of Representatives has approved an amendment to the 2026 defence budget that would allow the Pentagon to share intelligence with former Afghan security forces and resistance groups fighting the Taliban.

The measure, introduced by Republican Representative Eli Crane of Arizona, passed during the House debate on the National Defense Authorization Act in September.

Supporters said the move is aimed at strengthening anti-Taliban groups and marks the first step toward renewed US engagement with Taliban opponents since American forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021.

The amendment grants the US defence secretary broad authority to determine which groups qualify as “resistance units” and the scope of intelligence to be shared.

The measure still requires Senate approval before the defence budget becomes law.