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 army facility within the Taliban palms.
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 financial disaster, worldwide legitimacy, inner rifts and rival militant teams since their return to energy in 2021, may very well be open to permitting the U.S. army 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 overseas coverage and sought constructive relations with all states on the premise of mutual and shared pursuits, Mujahid posted on X.
It had been constantly communicated to the U.S. in all bilateral negotiations that Afghanistan’s independence and territorial integrity have been of the utmost significance, he stated.
“It ought to be recalled that, beneath the Doha Settlement, america pledged that ‘it won’t use or threaten power towards the territorial integrity or political independence of Afghanistan, nor intrude in its inner affairs,’” he stated. The U.S. wanted to stay devoted to its commitments, he added.
Mujahid didn’t reply to questions from The Related Press about conversations with the Trump administration relating to 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 army show 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.
