U.S. President Trump expresses intentions to reclaim Bagram air base from Afghanistan
The United States, under former President Donald Trump, has been urging the Taliban to ensure the safety and security of foreign nationals and facilitate their evacuation from Afghanistan. However, negotiations between the US and the Taliban for the safe evacuation of these foreign nationals have yet to result in an agreement.
Trump has also been pushing for the Taliban to respect human rights and uphold the principles of democracy in Afghanistan. These calls come amidst concerns about the Taliban's actions at the Bagram air base, which was handed over to the Afghan government in May 2021 and later taken over by the Taliban when they seized control of the country in July.
The Taliban has reportedly converted parts of the Bagram air base into a prison, causing concern among human rights groups. Access to the base has also been restricted for international organizations and journalists, adding to the growing unease.
Trump has consistently criticized the loss of the Bagram air base since returning to power. He made this statement during a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, expressing his desire for the United States to regain control of the base.
The Bagram air base, located an hour away from where China produces its nuclear weapons, was Afghanistan's biggest air base and a key base for US-led operations in the country for two decades following the September 11 attacks. Trump mentioned that having the Bagram air base back could be significant in the context of China's growing influence in Afghanistan.
Despite Trump's calls, the Taliban has rejected these calls for US forces to reoccupy the base, insisting that the US maintain no military presence in Afghanistan. As of now, no other organizations or persons are actively working toward this goal.
The Taliban has been accused of committing human rights abuses, including the use of torture and arbitrary detentions, within the converted prison at the Bagram air base. These actions have raised questions about the Taliban's commitment to the principles that the US has been advocating for.
Trump's statements come at a time when thousands of foreign nationals, including former Afghan allies of the US, are still stranded in Afghanistan, with no assurance from the Taliban regarding their safety and security.
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