Trump Demands Return Of Bagram Airbase; Warns Afghanistan Of Consequences

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, demanding that Afghanistan return control of the Bagram airbase to Washington.

“If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!! President DJT,” he wrote.

Trump emphasised that American forces developed and operated the airbase after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks, and that it remained central to the US military presence in the region.

He later told reporters that Washington was already holding discussions with Afghan authorities on the matter.

Bagram: A Symbol of US Presence

Located around 50 km north of Kabul, Bagram airbase was once the largest American military installation in Afghanistan.

For two decades, it functioned as the operational backbone for US and NATO forces. Its sudden abandonment during the American withdrawal in August 2021 drew criticism across the political spectrum, as it was swiftly taken over by the Taliban.

The base’s significance extends beyond military operations. For Washington, it represents both a strategic foothold in South Asia and a reminder of sacrifices made during the war on terror.

For Afghanistan, however, it remains a symbol of prolonged foreign occupation.

The Taliban regime, which assumed control after the withdrawal, has firmly rejected Trump’s demand. On Saturday, the state-run Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) quoted Jalali, a senior foreign ministry diplomat, as saying that Afghans would ‘never accept foreign military presence in their land throughout history’.

He said Afghanistan and the United States must base their future relations on economic and political engagement built on bilateral respect and common interests.

The statement underscores the Taliban’s long-standing opposition to any renewed foreign military involvement, while also signalling a willingness to engage with Washington on diplomatic and economic terms.

Trump’s Criticism of Biden

Trump has frequently criticised his predecessor, Joe Biden, for what he calls the mishandled withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

Speaking to reporters in London on Thursday, Trump declared, “We want to retake it,” referring to Bagram airbase. He argued that abandoning the base undermined American influence in the region and left behind a strategic asset that should never have been surrendered.

The demand for Bagram’s return reignites a sensitive debate over Afghanistan’s sovereignty and America’s strategic interests.

While Trump continues to push for renewed control over the base, Afghan leaders stress their rejection of foreign military presence.

As discussions continue, the dispute reflects broader tensions in US–Afghan relations: Washington’s desire to maintain regional influence versus Kabul’s insistence on independence from external forces.

Observers will determine whether Trump’s warning signals a more confrontational approach or reflects political posturing ahead of the US elections.

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