Taliban rejects Trump’s demand to return Bagram airbase
**Taliban Rejects Trump’s Demand to Return Bagram Airbase**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 21, 2025, 04:34 PM*
The Taliban has firmly rejected United States President Donald Trump’s demand to return control of the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan. The airbase, which served as a major military hub for the US, was taken over by the Taliban in July 2021 following the withdrawal of American and NATO troops.
“Afghanistan is fully independent, governed by its own people, and not dependent on any foreign power,” stated Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, emphasizing the country’s sovereignty.
**Trump Threatens Afghanistan Over Bagram Airbase**
Earlier, President Trump threatened Afghanistan with “bad things” if the Taliban did not surrender the airbase back to the US. He has also used this issue to criticize his predecessor for leaving American military assets in the hands of the Taliban.
Located approximately 64 kilometers from Kabul, the Bagram airbase was a key operational center for the US after the 9/11 attacks. Its strategic position at the crossroads of Iran, Pakistan, China’s Xinjiang province, and Central Asia grants it significant importance for regional influence and Eurasian surveillance.
**US and NATO Withdrawal**
US and NATO forces withdrew from Bagram in July 2021, following a peace agreement made during Trump’s first administration. The drawdown was ultimately completed under President Joe Biden’s administration.
Trump previously expressed a desire to maintain control of Bagram—not for Afghanistan’s sake—but because of its strategic significance relative to China. However, investigations have found no evidence that China has established any presence at the base since the Taliban takeover.
**Taliban Rejects US Military Presence**
Zakir Jalal, a Taliban foreign ministry official, has dismissed any possibility of a continued US military presence in Afghanistan. He confirmed that such an idea was completely rejected during pre-power transition talks.
Meanwhile, the US and Taliban have recently engaged in discussions focusing primarily on the fate of American citizens still held in Afghanistan.
**China’s Position**
A spokesperson from the Chinese foreign ministry stated that China respects Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and believes the country’s future should be determined by the Afghan people themselves.
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*The situation surrounding the Bagram airbase remains a significant point of contention between the United States and the Taliban, reflecting broader geopolitical dynamics in the region.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/we-don-t-fear-taliban-rejects-trump-s-bagram-air-base-demand/story
