JALALABAD, Afghanistan — The Taliban authorities on Sunday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s bid to retake Bagram Air Base, 4 years after America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan left the sprawling military facility within the Taliban arms.
It’s unclear what conversations the U.S. has had with Afghan officers about returning to the nation. However Trump hinted that the Taliban, who’ve struggled with an economic crisis, worldwide legitimacy, inner rifts and rival militant teams since their return to power in 2021, might be open to permitting the U.S. navy again.
The chief Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, rejected Trump’s assertions and urged the U.S. to undertake a coverage of “realism and rationality.” Afghanistan had an economy-oriented international coverage and sought constructive relations with all states on the premise of mutual and shared pursuits, Mujahid posted on X.
It had been persistently communicated to the U.S. in all bilateral negotiations that Afghanistan’s independence and territorial integrity had been of the utmost significance, he mentioned.
“It must be recalled that, below the Doha Settlement, america pledged that ‘it won’t use or threaten power in opposition to the territorial integrity or political independence of Afghanistan, nor intrude in its inner affairs,’” he mentioned. The U.S. wanted to stay trustworthy to its commitments, he added.
Mujahid didn’t reply to questions from The Related Press about conversations with the Trump administration concerning Bagram and why Trump believed the U.S. might retake it.
In August final 12 months, the Taliban celebrated the third anniversary of their takeover at Bagram with a grand military display of deserted U.S. {hardware}, catching the attention of the White Home. Trump has repeatedly criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for his “gross incompetence” throughout the withdrawal of U.S. forces after the nation’s longest battle.
