In a recent development, an official from the Afghan Taliban government stated that negotiations regarding the future of Bagram Air Base are not feasible. This comes on the heels of remarks made by former US President Donald Trump, who expressed a desire for the United States to regain control of the facility, which was once a cornerstone of US military operations in Afghanistan.
During a state visit to the United Kingdom, Trump suggested the possibility of reclaiming the base, which he reiterated via his Truth Social platform. He issued a stark warning, stating, “If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!”
Responding to Trump’s comments, Fasihuddin Fitrat, the Chief of Staff of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense, dismissed the notion of a political deal over Bagram. In remarks broadcast via local media, he claimed that some parties were allegedly in negotiations to recover the base. “A deal over even an inch of Afghanistan’s soil is not possible. We don’t need it,” he asserted, indicating that the Taliban government is firm in its stance regarding the sovereignty of Afghan territory.
Bagram Air Base, historically significant as the largest US military installation in Afghanistan, played a crucial role during the US-led campaign against the Taliban following the September 11, 2001 attacks. The base was abandoned by US and NATO forces in a chaotic withdrawal in July 2021, which was part of a deal negotiated during Trump’s presidency with Taliban representatives. This withdrawal significantly weakened the Afghan military, paving the way for the Taliban’s rapid resurgence to power.
As tensions continue to simmer over the issue of Bagram, the response from the Taliban government underscores its commitment to maintaining control over Afghan territory and its resistance to foreign demands.
