U.S. President Trump Threatens “Bad Things,” Afghan Officials Vow Resistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. / KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A growing international dispute has intensified as U.S. President Donald Trump publicly threatened “bad things” would happen to Afghanistan if it does not return control of the Bagram Air Base to the United States. This demand has been met with staunch opposition from Afghan officials, who have vowed to defend their sovereignty against any attempt to reestablish a foreign military presence.

In a post on his Truth Social account, President Trump wrote, “If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!” He told reporters on Saturday that he would not rule out sending in U.S. troops to retake the base. “We’re talking now to Afghanistan and we want it back and we want it back soon, right away. And if they don’t do it, you’re going to find out what I’m gonna do,” he stated at the White House.

Afghan Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid responded to the demand by saying, “Our answer is, if you don’t leave and want bases, we are ready to fight you for another 20 years.” Other Afghan officials, including Mullah Tajmir Jawad and Zakir Jalaly, have also expressed firm opposition, emphasizing that Afghans have “never accepted foreign troops on their territory.”

The sprawling Bagram Air Base, located approximately 50 km north of Kabul, served as the central hub for U.S. and NATO operations for two decades. The base was a massive logistical and operational center, once hosting amenities like fast-food restaurants, shops, and a large prison complex. It fell under the control of the Taliban following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.

According to current and former U.S. officials, re-occupying Bagram would be a complex and risky endeavor. Such a move could require the deployment of more than 10,000 troops and advanced air defenses, effectively resembling a full-scale re-invasion. Experts caution that securing the base from threats by groups like Islamic State and al Qaeda, even with the Taliban’s cooperation, would be incredibly difficult. The base also remains vulnerable to advanced missile threats, such as those from Iran.

President Trump has long been interested in acquiring various territories and sites, and his recent focus on Bagram has drawn widespread attention. This diplomatic standoff underscores the deeply rooted complexities of the U.S.-Afghanistan relationship and raises significant concerns about the potential for renewed conflict in the region.

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