PNN – Afghan sources announced that the Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has summoned the group’s senior leaders to a comprehensive meeting to discuss Trump’s request regarding the Bagram base.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, Afghan sources told Al-Mayadeen that Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has summoned his senior leaders to Kandahar for consultations regarding Bagram Air Base.
These sources stated: A meeting is scheduled to be held in the coming days and the Taliban leader has specifically requested the presence of a number of senior Taliban leaders.
The sources stated: Akhundzada had previously discussed Trump’s request to retake Bagram Air Base with some ministers and the head of the Taliban Supreme Court, but he is willing to discuss and exchange views on the issue more comprehensively.
Read more:
Taliban officials’ crushing response to Trump’s threat about Bagram base
It is worth noting that the efforts of the US administration led by Donald Trump to regain control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, after the withdrawal of American forces in 2021, are a complex and multifaceted issue. Trump’s interest in Bagram stems from its geopolitical leverage.
In his September 18 remarks, Trump described the 2021 withdrawal as a free gift to the Taliban, saying: We’re trying to take it back. They need things from us.
The remarks echo his campaign rhetoric, in which he accused the Biden administration of abandoning a vital asset that could have monitored China’s activities.
Bagram Air Base, located in Afghanistan’s Parwan Province, has not only been a symbol of the long-standing military presence of foreign powers in the country, but has also served as a key node in the complex web of regional and international security. The base dates back to the 1950s, when the Soviet Union established it to expand its influence in the region and support the then Afghan government. Over the following decades, Bagram has seen many changes, including the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the subsequent civil wars.
However, after the September 11 attacks, the base quickly became one of the most important US military bases in Afghanistan. Bagram’s strategic location, its proximity to Kabul, and its easy access to various parts of the country made it a vital hub for military, logistical, and intelligence operations.
From this base, American and NATO forces conducted counter-terrorism operations, trained Afghan security forces, and supported diplomatic and development missions. In addition, Bagram served as a critical transit point for the movement of troops and equipment to and from Afghanistan. Given this critical role, losing control of Bagram would not only mean the loss of a valuable military asset for the United States, but also a reduction in its influence and ability to influence regional developments.