Afghanistan rejects US demand, rules out handing back strategic Bagram airbase 

Kabul (Web Desk): Afghanistan says it has sent a clear message to the United States (US) that not even an inch of its land will be given back to American forces, particularly with regard to the control of Bagram airbase.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that the presence of any foreign troops on Afghan soil would never be acceptable, even if the US were to recognize the Taliban government.

Muttaqi dismissed Washington’s claims of reclaiming Bagram, stressing that the airbase is an inseparable part of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. He also rejected as baseless the allegations circulating about China gaining control of the facility.

The statement came after US President Donald Trump issued a warning on his social media platform Truth Social, threatening that Afghanistan would face “serious consequences” if it failed to return the base.

Trump argued that Bagram was built by the U.S. and must be reclaimed, pointing out that the airfield is only an hour away from the location where China reportedly develops nuclear weapons.

During his visit to the United Kingdom, Trump reiterated that the U.S. had “handed over” Bagram airbase to the Taliban for free but is now determined to take it back.

It may be recalled that following the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in 2021, the United States formally handed over Bagram, which had been under American use for two decades, to Afghan authorities.