A top Afghan defense ministry official said no deal was possible over Bagram air base, a move that US President Donald Trump had previously demanded the return of the former US base, AFP reported.
On Sunday, Afghan Defense Ministry Chief of Staff Fasihuddin Fitrat told local media, "Some people want to take back Bagram base through political negotiations. But it is not possible to share even an inch of Afghan land with anyone. We have no need for that."
A later government statement said that the country's independence and territorial integrity are of utmost importance to Afghanistan.
Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, was the epicenter of the US's 20-year war in Afghanistan. US and NATO troops withdrew from there in July 2021. Shortly thereafter, the Afghan military collapsed and the Taliban returned to power.
Last week, during a visit to Britain, Trump publicly spoke for the first time about taking back the base. Later, in response to questions from reporters at the White House, he said, "We are in talks with Afghanistan. We want Bagram, we want it now. If they don't give it to us, they will see what happens." Trump also threatened undeclared punishment in his speech.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that losing the base would be a strategic loss for the United States, especially given its proximity to China. He himself visited Bagram in 2019.
Bagram Air Base was built in the 1950s with the help of the Soviet Union. It was later expanded with the help of the United States. It was further improved during the Soviet occupation. Under US control, the base turned into a small town around 2010. There were various establishments there, including supermarkets and restaurants.
However, international human rights organizations have repeatedly complained that US forces have committed widespread torture at Bagram on prisoners in the "war on terror."
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