The Taliban on Sunday firmly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about the possibility of America attempting to “retake” the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Trump, speaking at a political rally in the United States, had suggested that Washington should regain control of the base, calling its 2021 abandonment during the U.S. withdrawal a “strategic blunder.”
In response, Taliban officials dismissed the idea outright, saying that Afghanistan’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. “Bagram is part of Afghanistan, and no foreign power has the right to interfere or occupy our land again,” a Taliban spokesperson said in a statement. The group stressed that any attempt to re-establish control would be met with “serious consequences.”
The Bagram Air Base, located just outside Kabul, was the largest U.S. military installation in Afghanistan during the two-decade-long war. It served as a central hub for combat operations, intelligence gathering, and logistical support before being vacated in July 2021 as American troops prepared to leave the country.
Trump has repeatedly criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, arguing that leaving behind Bagram weakened America’s strategic foothold in the region. His latest comments reignited debate in Washington over the U.S. approach to counterterrorism, especially with ongoing concerns about extremist groups potentially regrouping in Afghanistan.
Regional analysts believe Trump’s statement is more of a political posture aimed at rallying domestic support rather than a practical military plan. With the Taliban now firmly in power, any move to reclaim Bagram would likely trigger heightened tensions not only with Afghanistan but also with neighboring powers like China, Russia, and Pakistan.
For now, the Taliban’s rejection underscores their determination to maintain control over the country’s military assets and to resist any form of foreign intervention.