The Taliban has reportedly handed over control of Afghanistan's strategic Bagram air base to the United States. According to StratNews Global, a U.S. C-17 aircraft recently landed at the base, bringing in military vehicles, equipment, and senior intelligence officials, including the Deputy Chief of the CIA.
No official statement confirming the handover has been issued by either the U.S. or the Taliban, leaving the details of the transfer uncertain. However, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, dismissed reports of the U.S. military's return to the base, calling them propaganda aimed at misleading the public, according to Ariana News.
Zabihullah Mujahid firmly stated that such actions were "impossible," stressing that "there is no justification for any foreign military presence in Afghanistan, and the Islamic Emirate will not allow it."
The development follows recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed a desire for the U.S. to return to Afghanistan and counter China’s growing influence in the region.
“I think we should get it back,” Trump said, referring to Bagram.
He emphasized the strategic significance of the base, located just an hour’s flight from China’s nuclear missile facilities.
Trump’s comments were made during his first Cabinet meeting after assuming office as the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces. He also noted the billions of dollars the U.S. had invested in Afghanistan and criticized the abandonment of military equipment during the chaotic withdrawal in 2021 under President Joe Biden’s administration.
The U.S. left behind significant military assets, with a report from the U.S. Department of Defense revealing that $7bn worth of equipment was left in Afghanistan after the withdrawal. Trump expressed concerns over the disuse of this equipment, stating that such a scenario would not have occurred during his presidency.
China's Growing Influence in Afghanistan
The strategic importance of Bagram Air Base has been amplified by its proximity to China, which Trump highlighted in his remarks. The president pointed out that China now occupies the base, a direct result of the Biden administration’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
“The air base is one of the biggest in the world, with one of the most powerful runways. We gave it up. You know who is occupying it at the moment? China,” Trump remarked, underscoring the growing geopolitical rivalry between the U.S. and China.
Bagram Air Base, located 11 kilometers southeast of Charikar in Afghanistan’s Parwan Province, was once the largest U.S. military base in the country. Originally built by the Soviet Union during the Cold War era in the 1950s, it became a symbol of both U.S. and Soviet efforts to assert their influence over Afghanistan.
In 2021, following the U.S. military's departure and the collapse of the Afghan government, the Taliban seized control of Bagram. This marked the end of a 20-year U.S. presence in Afghanistan, which began after the 9/11 attacks and saw extensive military operations and strategic investments in the region.
The reports came at a time when the Taliban and US are engaging diplomatically with each other to discuss the release of hostages, as well as alleged partnership to fight against ISIS-K in the country. Despite the engagements, the US National Security Council has previusly dismissed reports regarding the official restoration of relations between Afghanistan and the United States.
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