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IEA’s Mujahid says Bagram Air Base ‘will never be bargained away’

Mujahid described Afghans as “extremely sensitive about occupation,” warning that no Afghan would tolerate foreign control over national territory.

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The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Tuesday the return of Bagram Air Base to Washington was not up for discussion and that the former American stronghold was an inseparable part of Afghanistan’s territory and would never be handed over.

In an interview with Al Arabiya English, 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.”

Mujahid described Afghans as “extremely sensitive about occupation,” warning that no Afghan would tolerate foreign control over national territory.

The comments came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent warning that “bad things” would happen if Afghanistan refused to return the base. 

“For twenty years under US occupation, Afghanistan experienced ‘bad things’ – not for a day, but continuously for two decades. The Americans should not forget that bad actions trigger bad reactions. 

“In the end, they were forced to withdraw their troops from Afghanistan. Afghanistan is not a country that can be occupied or subdued. They should engage with Afghans politically, diplomatically, and rationally.”

Mujahid confirmed however that IEA officials are engaged in dialogue with the United States on issues such as prisoner exchanges, diplomatic relations, and economic investment. But he underlined that Bagram is “non-negotiable.”

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

Trump has argued that Bagram’s location – near China – makes it strategically important for Washington. Mujahid however dismissed the claim as factually incorrect and reiterated that Afghanistan will not allow its soil to become a battlefield between rival powers.

“Just as we want relations with China, we also want ties with the US… Afghanistan will not allow its territory to become a battlefield,” he said, adding that Kabul is pursuing a “balanced, economy-centered foreign policy.”

Located north of Kabul, Bagram was once the largest US military installation in Afghanistan and a hub of America’s two-decade war. At its peak, the base resembled a small town, complete with fast-food outlets, supermarkets, and visits from US presidents including Barack Obama in 2012 and Donald Trump in 2019. US forces abandoned it in July 2021, weeks before the Islamic Emirate’s return to power.

Mujahid emphasized that while Afghanistan seeks constructive engagement with Washington, any attempts to reclaim Bagram would be unacceptable. “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,” he said.

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IEA should respond to Pakistan’s security concerns with concrete actions: Andrabi

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Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi says both Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sadyr Japarov, the President of Kyrgyzstan, who visited Islamabad on Thursday, expressed their mutual commitment to a peaceful, stable Afghanistan with a sustainable future for the Afghan people.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Andrabi stated that both sides agreed that the Islamic Emirate must fulfill its obligations toward the international community and take concrete steps against terrorist groups to address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns.

This comes while the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly emphasized that no terrorist groups operate from Afghan territory and that it will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any country.

The Islamic Emirate has also stated that Pakistan’s security concerns are an internal issue of that country, and Pakistan itself must take measures to prevent any security incidents.

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Malaysia’s PM calls peaceful solution to Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions

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Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has voiced deep concern over escalating tensions between the Afghanistan–Pakistan during a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Anwar said he emphasized Malaysia’s concerns regarding regional stability and urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.

His remarks follow media reports indicating heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan after a series of attacks in October.

During the call, the two leaders also exchanged views on several aspects of Malaysia–Pakistan bilateral relations.

Anwar also briefed Sharif on the ongoing flood situation in Malaysia and similar challenges facing neighboring countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.

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Afghanistan makes major strides in cutting drug trafficking, says Putin

Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin says Afghanistan has taken “active and effective” steps to curb drug trafficking, noting a significant drop in opium production across the country. He made the remarks during an exclusive interview with India Today during his India trip, highlighting what he described as “visible progress” in Afghanistan’s internal security efforts.

Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders. He added that Afghanistan has also made important advancements in the fight against terrorism.

Responding to a question about why Russia officially recognized the Islamic Emirate, the Russian president said Afghanistan had been engulfed in civil conflict for many years, but the current authorities now hold control over the country. “This is the reality, and it must be acknowledged,” Putin emphasized.

He further noted that maintaining contact with Afghanistan’s leadership is crucial for shaping events inside the country. “If you want influence, you must engage with the people in charge — and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.

Putin’s remarks come as several regional powers continue to recalibrate their diplomatic strategies toward Afghanistan, focusing on stability, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.

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