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Key Points

Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Afghanistan's Taliban government demanding the return of Bagram Air Base to US control. The former president claims the US is actively trying to regain the strategically important air base near China's border. China has responded by calling for respect of Afghanistan's sovereignty and opposing regional confrontation. Meanwhile, Afghan officials have firmly stated they will not accept any foreign military presence on their soil.

Key Points: Trump Demands Taliban Return Bagram Air Base to US

  • Trump threatens consequences if Taliban doesn't return strategic Bagram Air Base
  • US Congress members support Trump's push to regain the air base
  • China urges respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity
  • Afghan officials reject any foreign military presence on their soil
3 min read

Bad things are going to happen: Trump warns Afghanistan over Bagram Air Base

Donald Trump warns "bad things are going to happen" if Afghanistan doesn't return Bagram Air Base to US control, escalating tensions with Taliban government.

"If Afghanistan doesn't give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!! - Donald Trump"

Washington, DC, September 21

US President Donald Trump demanded that Afghanistan return control of Bagram Air Base to Washington, warning the Taliban government that "bad things are going to happen" if they did not comply with his demand.

"If Afghanistan doesn't give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!" Trump warned in a post on Truth Social.

Bagram Air Base is currently under the control of the Taliban government after the US troops withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021.

Trump has repeatedly indicated that he would have kept control of the air base, given its strategic importance near the border between Afghanistan and China.

A few days ago, during his visit to London, Trump stated that the US is trying to regain control of the air base.

"We were going to leave Afghanistan, but we were going to leave it with strength and dignity, and we were going to keep Bagram, the big air base - one of the biggest air bases in the world," Trump said during a joint news conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"We gave it to them for nothing. We're trying to get it back, by the way," he added.

According to Tolo News, several members of the US Congress have backed Trump's position, calling his push to regain Bagram Air Base both strategic and correct.

Meanwhile, China has dismissed Trump's remarks, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stating: "China respects Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The future of Afghanistan should be in the hands of its people. We call on all parties to play a constructive role in regional peace and stability." He added that fueling confrontation in the region lacked public support.

The Islamic Emirate has not officially responded. Earlier, however, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said, "Not even an inch of Afghan soil is acceptable for foreign military presence. This message must reach President Trump and other countries. Engagement will only be political and economic."

Zakir Jalaly, head of the second political department of the Foreign Ministry, echoed this view, saying: "Afghans have never accepted military presence throughout history. This was completely rejected in the Doha Agreement, but the door to other forms of engagement remains open."

These statements come amid repeated warnings from Russia in recent months about Western efforts, particularly by the US, to re-establish a military presence in Afghanistan.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
As an Indian, I'm more concerned about how this affects regional stability. Afghanistan's instability always spills over to our borders. Both US and China playing games there is worrying for India's security. 🇮🇳
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Aman W
Trump is right about one thing - Bagram is strategically important. But threatening the Taliban won't work. They've fought superpowers for decades. Diplomatic approach is needed, not threats.
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Sarah B
Interesting how China is suddenly talking about respecting Afghanistan's sovereignty when they have their own interests in the region. Everyone is playing geopolitics there. India needs to be smart about its approach.
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Vikram M
America should accept that Afghanistan is not their playground anymore. They had 20 years to fix things and failed. Now let regional countries handle the situation. India has better relations with Afghanistan anyway.
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Nisha Z
While I don't support Taliban, they're right about foreign military presence. Afghans have suffered enough from foreign interventions. Economic and political engagement is the way forward, not more military bases.

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