LONDON: US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States is seeking to regain control of Afghanistan’s Bagram air base, a key military site that was abandoned during the 2021 troop withdrawal.
Trump made the statement during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, describing Bagram as a strategically important location near China. “We want that base back,” Trump said, while highlighting its geopolitical significance, particularly with regards to its proximity to China.
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Bagram, originally constructed by the Soviets, served as the main hub for US and NATO military operations in Afghanistan for nearly two decades following the September 11, 2001 attacks. It fell into the hands of the Taliban after US forces departed in August 2021.
However, Afghan officials were quick to dismiss any possibility of a renewed American military presence.
“There is no need for the United States to maintain any military base in Afghanistan,” said Zakir Jalaly, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). He called instead for bilateral engagement based on mutual respect and common interests.
ولسمشر ډونلډ ټرمپ پر بگرام د معاملې خبره کړې نوموړی تر سياست هاخوا بريالی تاجر او معاملهکوونکی دی او د بگرام د بېرته اخيستو يادونه هم د يوې معاملې له لارې کوي.
افغانستان او امريکا يو بل سره تعامل ته اړتيا لري او کولای شي د متقابل درناوي او مشترکو گټو پر بنسټ اقتصادي او سیاسي…— Zakir Jalaly – ذاکر جلالي (@zakirjalaly) September 18, 2025
The remarks come amid ongoing discussions between US and Afghan representatives over American citizens currently detained in Afghanistan. US officials, including Adam Boehler, a special envoy on hostage affairs under Trump, and Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US envoy for Afghanistan, recently met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Despite these talks, Washington has not formally recognised the Taliban-led government, which returned to power after the US exit ended two decades of military involvement in the country.
US AID CUTS LEFT A VOID IN AFGHANISTAN TOO
Meanwhile, humanitarian leaders are urging world powers to step up and prevent a worsening crisis for millions who rely on international support, especially in the aftermath of sweeping US aid reductions.
David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), warned that over two million vulnerable people have lost access to critical services, including education programs in Afghanistan, after the US slashed more than 75 per cent of its financial support to the organisation.
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Miliband acknowledged the US government’s aim to reform and maximise aid efficiency, but stressed that even modest American investment could yield significant global impact.
The appeal comes ahead of next week’s high-stakes United Nations General Assembly in New York.