The Islamic Emirate has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for the return of Bagram airbase, declaring the strategic facility a sacred and inseparable part of Afghan territory.

In an exclusive statement to Al Arabiya English, Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, emphasized that Bagram is Afghan soil and will never be surrendered to foreign powers. “Bagram is part of Afghanistan. No Afghan will allow outsiders to occupy or control even an inch of our land. This is our sacred right and duty to defend, and the United States must respect it,” Mujahid said.

Bagram, located north of Kabul, was the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan and the epicenter of the twenty-year occupation that brought immense suffering to the Afghan people. The Taliban forced U.S. forces to withdraw in July 2021, restoring Afghanistan’s dignity and sovereignty.

Responding to Trump’s threat of punitive action, Mujahid stated: “For two decades under U.S. occupation, Afghanistan endured continuous destruction, killing, and humiliation. The occupiers were ultimately expelled, and the lesson is clear: any attempt to seize Afghan land will be met with resistance.”

Mujahid confirmed ongoing talks with U.S. officials, emphasizing that discussions focus on prisoner exchanges, economic investment, and diplomatic relations, not territorial concessions. “Afghanistan will never barter its sacred land. Bagram is not for sale. Any attempt to claim it is a violation of our sovereignty and will be resisted,” he said.

Trump has cited Bagram’s proximity to China as a reason for U.S. interest, but Mujahid dismissed this as false and stressed that Afghanistan seeks balanced relations with global powers, including the U.S., China, Russia, and Europe, while protecting its sovereignty.

The spokesman underlined that the Islamic Emirate remains committed to defending Afghan land, faith, and honor. “Our country will never be a battlefield for foreign powers. Just as we maintain relations with China, Russia, and Europe, we can engage with the U.S. through diplomacy—but any coercion or occupation will be rejected. This is our sacred duty.”

Bagram’s history under U.S. control reflects the occupation’s arrogance, with the base functioning as a self-contained city visited by U.S. presidents, yet ultimately unable to dominate Afghanistan. Today, under the Islamic Emirate, Bagram stands as a symbol of Afghan resilience and independence.

Mujahid concluded by reiterating that the Islamic Emirate is open to constructive international engagement, but Bagram and all Afghan soil remain non-negotiable, safeguarded by the Afghan people’s faith, honor, and unwavering resistance. (ILKHA)