JALALABAD, Afghanistan – The Taliban has turned down a request from former U.S. President Donald Trump to give back Bagram Air Base. This comes four years after the U.S. military left Afghanistan.
Trump said on Saturday that he wanted the U.S. to have a presence at Bagram again. He even mentioned talking to Afghanistan about it. When asked if he would send troops to take the base, Trump didn’t give a clear answer.
“We won’t talk about that,” Trump said. “We want it back, and we want it back right away. If they don’t do it, you’re going to find out what I’m going to do.”
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Sunday that Trump’s idea was not realistic. He said the U.S. should be more rational.
Mujahid stated that Afghanistan wants good relationships with all countries based on mutual respect.
He also said that the U.S. promised in the Doha Agreement not to use force against Afghanistan or interfere in its affairs. He believes the U.S. should keep its promises.
Mujahid didn’t answer questions about any talks with Trump’s team or why Trump thinks the U.S. could take back Bagram.
Defense Ministry official Fasihuddin Fitrat also spoke about Trump’s comments on Sunday. He said, “Giving even a small piece of our land to anyone is out of the question.”
Last year, the Taliban celebrated three years since they took over Bagram. They showed off old U.S. military equipment. Trump has often said that President Joe Biden made a big mistake with how he handled the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
During a recent trip to the United Kingdom, Trump suggested that the Taliban might be willing to let the U.S. military return because they need help.
“We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us,” Trump said. The U.S. and the Taliban don’t have official relations, but they have discussed hostage situations. In March, the Taliban released an American man who had been kidnapped in Afghanistan.
The Taliban also said they had an agreement with U.S. officials about exchanging prisoners to improve relations.
They didn’t share details about the prisoner exchange. The White House didn’t comment on the meeting or the Taliban’s statement. The Taliban shared photos of their foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, with Trump’s special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler.
