Taliban Rejects Trump’s Demand to Reclaim Bagram Air Base, Vows to ‘Fight for Another 20 Years’

ANN NEWS

 

Kabul, Afghanistan – September 21, 2025 – The Taliban has firmly rejected a demand from U.S. President Donald Trump to return control of Bagram Air Base to the United States. The group stated that any attempt to re-establish a foreign military presence in Afghanistan would be met with armed resistance, echoing their long-standing commitment to national sovereignty.

 

 

 

President Trump, who had publicly urged the U.S. to “get back” the strategic air base, argued that Bagram’s proximity to China makes it a critical asset for American strategic interests in the region. He also warned of “bad things” if Kabul did not comply with the demand.

 

 

However, senior Taliban officials, including Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, dismissed the notion outright. A senior official recalled a previous conversation with U.S. representatives, stating, “If you stay, we told them, we’re ready to fight for another 20 years.” This statement underscores the group’s unwavering resolve to defend Afghanistan’s independence and resist foreign intervention.

 

 

 

The Taliban’s stance is consistent with earlier statements and references to the 2020 Doha Agreement, which they claim prohibits Washington from using force or interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. Since the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban has been the governing authority and maintains control over all national military infrastructure.

 

 

Analysts suggest that any U.S. attempt to reclaim Bagram would be a significant undertaking, both politically and logistically. Military experts estimate that retaking and holding the base would necessitate a substantial combat force and a long-term commitment, potentially leading to a costly re-engagement in the country. Some commentators have proposed that the only realistic path forward, short of military action, would be through diplomatic negotiations involving economic incentives, such as the release of frozen Afghan assets.

 

 

 

The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. desire to secure its strategic interests and Afghanistan’s steadfast insistence on its national sovereignty. International reactions have been cautious, with many nations urging both sides to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic solutions to avoid a return to open conflict.
For the time being, Bagram remains under Afghan control, and the Taliban’s firm response indicates that any attempt to seize the base by force would likely lead to a protracted confrontation, a scenario that could significantly alter regional security dynamics.