Taliban Rejects Trump’s Proposal to Reclaim Bagram Air Base Amid Ongoing Tensions

Taliban Rejects Trump’s Bid to Reclaim Bagram Air Base Amid Ongoing Tensions

JALALABAD, Afghanistan (AP) — In a significant diplomatic rebuff, the Taliban government on Sunday dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to retake Bagram Air Base, a facility that has remained under Taliban control since the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan four years ago.

The rejection comes amid ongoing economic struggles and internal strife within the Taliban regime, which has grappled with issues of international legitimacy and rival militant factions since regaining power in 2021. Trump’s comments suggested that the Taliban might be open to discussions about allowing U.S. military presence back in Afghanistan, but the Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, swiftly countered this notion.

Mujahid urged the U.S. to adopt a more realistic approach, emphasizing that Afghanistan’s foreign policy is centered on economic cooperation and constructive relations with other nations. He took to social media platform X to assert that the independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan are paramount, reiterating that these principles were consistently communicated during bilateral negotiations.

“The United States pledged under the Doha Agreement that it would not use or threaten force against Afghanistan’s territorial integrity or interfere in its internal affairs,” Mujahid stated, urging the U.S. to honor its commitments.

While Mujahid did not elaborate on any discussions with the Trump administration regarding Bagram, his firm stance underscores the Taliban’s commitment to maintaining control over the base, which has become a symbol of their authority. Last August, the Taliban celebrated the third anniversary of their takeover at Bagram with a military display featuring abandoned U.S. military hardware, a move that drew attention from the White House.

Trump has been vocal in criticizing President Joe Biden’s handling of the U.S. withdrawal, labeling it a display of “gross incompetence.” As tensions continue to simmer, the future of U.S.-Taliban relations remains uncertain, with both sides holding firm to their respective positions.

As the world watches, the implications of this diplomatic standoff could reverberate beyond Afghanistan, affecting regional stability and international relations in the years to come.