The Taliban has issued a sharp response to former U.S. President Donald Trump after he demanded that Washington be given back control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
In a statement circulated through Taliban-linked media outlets on September 20, leaders in Kabul declared that Afghanistan’s sovereignty was “non-negotiable” and warned that any attempt to retake the base would be met with armed resistance. One senior commander said bluntly, “We are ready to fight for another 20 years.”
Trump, speaking at a rally earlier this week, said the United States should “take back Bagram” to reassert its presence in the region. He argued that the base, located about 64 kilometers north of Kabul, remains strategically vital for U.S. operations against terrorism and as a counterbalance to Chinese and Russian influence in Central Asia.
Analysts say Bagram’s significance extends beyond its military history. It was the largest U.S. base during the two-decade war, serving as the central hub for operations until American forces withdrew in 2021.
Retaking it would require a major deployment of troops and resources, sparking fears of renewed conflict.
Regional governments and international observers have urged restraint, warning that aggressive moves toward Bagram could destabilize Afghanistan and worsen its ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The Taliban, for its part, has framed Trump’s demand as a direct challenge to Afghan independence, signaling it will not compromise on territorial control.
The exchange underscores lingering tensions over Afghanistan’s role in global power struggles. With Washington, Beijing, and Moscow all watching closely, Bagram has once again become a flashpoint in the contest for regional influence.
