TALIBAN LEADER CALLS EMERGENCY MEETING AFTER TRUMP’S THREAT TO RETAKE BAGRAM AIRBASE

Thu 25 September 2025:

Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada called for an emergency meeting with ministers and senior officials to discuss US President Donald Trump’s demands over the Bagram airbase.

Several senior Taliban figures have reportedly traveled to Kandahar in recent days in preparation for the meeting, which is expected to take place soon. The move follows Trump’s warning that “bad things will happen” if Afghanistan does not agree to hand over the key military facility to the United States.

During his recent visit to Britain, Trump told reporters that talks were under way with the Taliban about taking control of Bagram. He repeated his stance that “they need things from [the US],” before threatening the group after its outright rejection of his proposal.

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Taliban sources said Akhundzada has already held a series of closed-door meetings with senior officials, including Defense Minister Yaqoub Mujahid, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and intelligence chiefs. Those discussions reaffirmed the Taliban’s refusal to accept any demands for the return of foreign forces to Afghanistan.

Taliban’s statement issued last Sunday, rejecting Trump’s request, was based on the outcomes of those meetings in Kandahar. In the statement, the group emphasized that “Afghanistan’s independence and sovereignty are a top priority,” and reminded Washington of its pledge in the Doha Agreement not to use force or threats against Afghanistan.

A senior Taliban official on Tuesday dismissed US President Donald Trump’s demand that Kabul hand back Bagram air base, insisting the facility is an inseparable part of Afghanistan.

Speaking to Al Arabiya English, chief Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said: “Bagram is part of Afghanistan’s territory. It is no different from any other piece of Afghan land. We will never agree to bargain away or hand over any part of our country.”

He added that “Afghans are extremely sensitive about occupation, and no Afghan will ever allow their land to be taken or controlled by outsiders – not even an inch.”

Trump on Saturday threatened punishment if the base is not returned.

“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 wrote on Truth Social.

“Afghanistan does not, and will never, put forward any demands that involve relinquishing part of its territory in return. No such request has been made from our side, nor is there any need for it,” Mujahid said.

“But if they insist on Bagram, coercion, or occupation, then Afghanistan has its own position. Defending our country, our national honor, and our people’s values was our duty in the past twenty years – and it will remain our duty in the future.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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