By Eniola Amadu
United States President Donald Trump has issued a public warning that “bad things” would follow if Afghanistan did not return control of the Bagram airbase to the United States, after officials in Kabul rejected his demand.
Trump posted the message on his Truth Social platform, saying: “If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!” The comment followed a separate statement from Afghan officials declining the request.
Bagram, located about 64km (40 miles) north of Kabul, was the principal US military facility in Afghanistan for much of the two-decade presence that followed the 2001 al-Qaeda attacks.
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The base was used for operations, detention and logistics and was a focal point of US activity in the country.
Thousands were detained at the site during the conflict; many detainees and rights groups have alleged abuses occurred there.
US forces withdrew from Bagram in 2021 as part of the wider American pullout from Afghanistan; the facility was then taken over by the Taliban.
Trump has repeatedly criticised that withdrawal and has expressed regret at losing access to the site, which he has described as strategically valuable.
Trump raised the issue publicly during a visit to London, telling reporters that the United States was “trying to get it back” and saying Afghanistan needed US support.
Foreign Ministry official in Kabul said Afghanistan would pursue engagement with Washington but stressed that it would not accept the return of a foreign military presence on Afghan soil.
“Afghanistan and the United States need to engage with one another … without the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan,” the official wrote on X, adding that Kabul preferred political and economic ties based on “mutual respect and shared interests”.
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When asked at the White House whether he would deploy troops to seize the base if Afghanistan refused, Trump did not provide a direct answer.
He said talks were under way and repeated his demand that Bagram be returned “right away,” warning that consequences would follow if the Afghan authorities did not comply.
