Afghan Foreign Ministry Responds to Trump’s Comments on Control of Bagram Airbase

19 September

Afghanistan firmly rejects any foreign military presence on its soil, including that of the United States, said Zakir Jalali, advisor to the Afghan Foreign Minister, according to the Pajhwok news agency.

 

“The Afghan people have historically never accepted the presence of foreign troops on their territory. This stance was unequivocally reinforced during the Doha negotiations and the subsequent agreement that saw the withdrawal of US and allied forces from Afghanistan,” Jalali stated in response to US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about regaining control over the former US airbase in Bagram.

 

Despite this firm position, the official emphasized that Afghanistan remains open to constructive cooperation with the United States, provided such engagement is grounded in mutual respect and shared interests.

 

On September 18, President Trump announced that the United States is seeking to regain control of Bagram Airbase. From 2001 to 2021, Bagram served as the largest base for the US-led international coalition in Afghanistan. The US forces vacated the base on July 1, 2021, and control was transferred to the Taliban on August 15, 2021.

 

 

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Based on materials from TASS