US President Donald Trump's demand for the return of Bagram airbase in Afghanistan has been met with opposition from the country's neighbors, who argue that the base is a sovereign issue.
The US military controlled the airbase, located about 30 miles north of Kabul, for nearly two decades before handing it over to the Taliban in August 2021. However, Trump recently expressed his desire to reclaim the base, stating, "We gave it to the Taliban for nothing. We want that base back."
Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi dismissed Trump's comments, saying, "The Bagram airbase is a sovereign issue of Afghanistan, and we will not allow any foreign country to interfere in our internal affairs." Muttaqi added that the US had already vacated the base and handed it over to the Taliban as part of a peace agreement.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also weighed in on the issue, stating, "The return of Bagram airbase to the United States is not a priority for us. We believe that Afghanistan should be able to manage its own affairs without external interference."
In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said, "Pakistan has consistently maintained that the security and defense of Afghanistan are the responsibility of the Afghan people themselves." The ministry added that any foreign military presence in the country would require the consent of the Afghan government.
The Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan, which includes representatives from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, and other regional countries, has also opposed Trump's demand. In a joint statement, the group said, "We believe that the return of Bagram airbase to the United States would be a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The US State Department did not respond to requests for comment on Trump's comments or the opposition from Afghanistan's neighbors.
Background: The Bagram airbase was used by the US military as a major hub for operations in Afghanistan, including the launch of drone strikes against terrorist targets. However, after the withdrawal of US forces in August 2021, the base was handed over to the Taliban as part of a peace agreement.
Additional perspectives: Some analysts have suggested that Trump's demand for the return of Bagram airbase may be an attempt to exert pressure on Afghanistan's neighbors, particularly Pakistan and Iran. Others have argued that the issue is largely symbolic and does not pose a significant threat to regional stability.
Current status: The situation remains unclear, with no indication from the US government whether it will pursue Trump's demand for the return of Bagram airbase. However, the opposition from Afghanistan's neighbors suggests that any attempt to reclaim the base would face significant resistance.
*Reporting by Aljazeera.*
