US President Issues Warning on Truth Social
United States President Donald Trump has demanded that Afghanistan hand back control of the Bagram Air Base to America, warning of consequences if Kabul refuses.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, bad things are going to happen.”
Speaking to reporters on Friday, he confirmed that discussions between Washington and Afghan officials were underway. Trump has long criticised his predecessor Joe Biden for “abandoning” the base during the US withdrawal in August 2021.
What Is Bagram Air Base?
Located 50 km north of Kabul, Bagram was once the largest US military installation in Afghanistan.
It served as a strategic hub for American and NATO forces after the September 11, 2001 attacks, playing a central role in the 20-year US-led campaign.
After the American withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban seized control of the facility, which remains under Afghan control today.
Afghanistan Rejects US Pressure
Afghan leaders have firmly dismissed Trump’s warnings.
Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid declared:
“Our answer is, if you don’t leave and want bases, we are ready to fight you for another 20 years.”
Mullah Tajmir Jawad, first deputy of the General Directorate of Intelligence, said the Afghan government would preserve the current system and reject any threats.
Zakir Jalaly, political director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told media that Afghans “have never accepted foreign troops on their territory” and that any dialogue with Washington must exclude military reoccupation.
Why It Matters
Symbol of Sovereignty: For Afghanistan, control of Bagram is deeply tied to independence after decades of foreign presence.
Strategic Interest: For the US, the airbase remains valuable for regional security and counter-terrorism operations, especially given proximity to China, Iran, and Central Asia.
Political Flashpoint: Trump’s demand has reignited debate over Biden’s 2021 withdrawal, which many Republicans argue weakened America’s position in the region.
The Road Ahead
While Trump insists on regaining control of Bagram, Kabul’s leadership has shown no willingness to compromise. Afghan officials have warned that any attempt to reestablish a US military presence would trigger fierce resistance, raising the spectre of renewed conflict.
