The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has strongly condemned recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that Washington should “take back” Bagram Air Base, calling the statements arrogant, colonial, and unacceptable.

In an interview with U.S. media outlets earlier this week, Trump claimed that leaving Bagram was “a big mistake” and argued that the base should once again be under American control because of its strategic location near China.

Responding to these interventionist comments, Mufti Abdul Matin Qani, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, told The Telegraph newspaper that the statements were “full of hatred” and represented a dangerous mindset of occupation that the Afghan nation had already defeated.

“The Islamic Emirate will never allow Bagram or any other inch of Afghan soil to be occupied again,” Qani declared. “Afghanistan is a free and independent country. Our people are united and ready to resist any attempt at aggression, just as they have resisted and defeated invaders throughout history.”

He stressed that Bagram Air Base is now fully under the control of the Islamic Emirate and that no scenario exists in which it would ever be handed over to the U.S. or any other foreign power.

Bagram, once the largest U.S. military base in the region, was abandoned by American forces in July 2021 ahead of their final withdrawal, symbolizing the collapse of the two-decade occupation. The base was then taken over by the Islamic Emirate, which restored it to Afghan sovereignty.

Trump’s renewed calls for seizing Bagram have reignited concerns about potential foreign intervention in Afghanistan. Senior Emirate officials have consistently rejected such rhetoric, emphasizing that any future attempt to occupy Afghan territory would be met with fierce resistance.

Analysts say the strong reaction from Kabul underscores the Emirate’s commitment to protecting Afghanistan’s independence and sovereignty. Many Afghans view Trump’s remarks as an insult to the sacrifices made during the jihad that ended the U.S. presence in the country.

“The era of occupation is over,” Qani reiterated. “Those who dream of taking back Bagram are ignoring the will of our people and the lessons of the last 20 years.”

With the Islamic Emirate consolidating its control and restoring security across the country, officials have stressed that Afghanistan seeks constructive relations with the world based on mutual respect — not threats of re-occupation. (ILKHA)