Taliban denies reports of Bagram Airbase handover to the US

Bagram Airbase, once the center of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan, has been a focal point of strategic, political, and military significance. Located in Parwan province, it served as the primary logistics and operations hub for U.S. and NATO forces throughout the two-decade-long military engagement in Afghanistan. However, the departure of U.S. forces in 2021 and the subsequent takeover of the base by the Taliban has raised a series of critical questions regarding the future of this strategically important location and the larger implications for U.S. foreign policy and Afghanistan’s stability.

According to a report by journalist Zark Shabab on Medium, the Taliban has allegedly handed over control of Bagram Air Base to the United States. U.S. military aircraft, including a C-17, reportedly landed at the base, delivering military equipment and senior intelligence officials. The arrival of high-ranking CIA figures, such as the Deputy Chief, suggests significant U.S. intelligence interests in the region. This move has raised questions about possible secret diplomacy or strategic shifts in U.S.-Taliban relations.

Bagram’s Strategic Importance and Taliban’s Initial Refusal

Bagram Air Base was the largest U.S. military hub during the 20-year conflict in Afghanistan, and its control shifted when the Taliban seized it following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in August 2021. The Taliban had initially refused to return the base, considering it a symbol of their sovereignty. However, recent reports suggest a possible handover to the U.S., raising speculations about the motives behind this shift, including potential counterterrorism cooperation or political maneuvering by the Taliban.

In a recent statement, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban’s Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, rejected reports of a U.S. military C-17 aircraft landing at Bagram Airbase. Mujahid called these reports “propaganda” aimed at misleading the public. He emphasized that the Taliban would not permit any foreign military presence in Afghanistan, stressing that there was no current need for such presence.

Mujahid’s comments came in response to widespread report and rumors circulating on social media and some media outlets suggesting that U.S. forces were returning to Bagram. He categorically denied these claims, reinforcing the Taliban’s stance on sovereignty and non-interference. “Such an event is impossible,” he said.

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, especially the handover of Bagram Airbase, remains a major issue in foreign policy discussions. Critics argue that the U.S. misjudged the Taliban’s strength, allowing them to gain critical military resources and raising questions about the need for continued U.S. presence in the region.

The Taliban’s control of Bagram and their denial of U.S. reentry highlight the shifting dynamics in Afghanistan. This development has wider implications for regional security and international relations, challenging global responses to the situation.

The reported handover of Bagram to the U.S. is likely to have significant geopolitical implications, especially for regional powers like Iran, China, Russia, and Pakistan. The presence of CIA officials at Bagram suggests a rebuilding of U.S. intelligence networks, which may indicate a new chapter in U.S.-Taliban relations. Analysts suggest this move could signal an evolving cooperation between the two parties, driven by pragmatism, regional security concerns, and intelligence coordination.

Bagram Airbase: Military Equipment Left Behind

Bagram Airbase served as the central operational hub for U.S. and NATO forces for two decades. The base played a critical role in the coordination of military operations, logistics, and intelligence gathering. It was strategically located, offering proximity to Kabul and providing access to critical regional routes. Its facilities were vital for counterterrorism operations and the supply of troops and equipment across Afghanistan.

In July 2021, the U.S. completed its withdrawal from Bagram and officially handed the base over to the Afghan government. However, after the Taliban’s rapid takeover of Kabul in August 2021, the base fell under the control of the Taliban regime Since then, there has been no credible evidence to suggest that foreign forces have used the base for military operations, despite ongoing rumors and unfounded reports.

One of the most contentious issues surrounding the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was the large amount of military equipment left behind at Bagram Airbase and other U.S. facilities. According to reports, the U.S. left behind significant quantities of military hardware, including aircraft, vehicles, and weapons. Some of these resources were destroyed by the U.S. military before leaving, but a considerable portion remained intact.

This equipment, including combat aircraft, armored vehicles, and weapons, was quickly seized by the Taliban upon their takeover of Bagram. While the Taliban has downplayed its acquisition of this military gear, the situation raises concerns about the potential use of these assets in future conflicts, both within Afghanistan and across the region. The ability of the Taliban to operate military equipment previously used by U.S. forces strengthens their position and military capabilities.

Furthermore, the possibility of the Taliban selling this equipment to other militant groups or regional actors adds another layer of complexity to the already fragile security situation in Afghanistan. The consequences of this military windfall could extend beyond Afghanistan’s borders, potentially exacerbating instability in neighboring countries and heightening regional tensions.

The U.S. Strategic Withdrawal: A Misstep in Planning

The decision to evacuate Bagram Airbase and hand it over to the Afghanistan government has drawn significant criticism, particularly in hindsight. Military experts argue that the hasty withdrawal and lack of a clear plan for securing key military assets left a strategic vacuum that the Taliban quickly filled. Bagram’s significance as a logistical and operational base was clear, and its abandonment has been viewed as a failure in planning and execution by U.S. policymakers.

Some critics have pointed out that maintaining a U.S. presence at Bagram, or at least keeping the airbase in secure hands, could have provided leverage over the Taliban and ensured more effective counterterrorism operations. Instead, the rapid and chaotic exit from the country, coupled with the lack of security measures, allowed the Taliban to take control of a critical military asset.

The decision to abandon Bagram highlights the difficulties in managing such large-scale withdrawals. Strategic locations like Bagram could have provided the U.S. with a continued presence in the region, which might have helped to stabilize Afghanistan and prevent it from becoming a haven for terrorist groups.

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