Taliban Denies Trump's Claim of Chinese Control at Bagram Airfield

The Taliban has denied former President Donald Trump's claims that China currently controls Bagram Air Base, a former U.S. military facility in Afghanistan. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid described Trump's statements as 'emotional' and based on misinformation, asserting that Bagram is under Taliban control without any Chinese military presence. Trump, during his campaign rhetoric, criticized President Biden for the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and suggested that control of Bagram was strategically important due to its proximity to Chinese nuclear facilities. Mujahid also emphasized that any U.S.-made military equipment left behind is considered 'spoils of war' and that the Taliban expects reparations for the destruction caused during two decades of U.S. military presence. The Taliban's response highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal. Trump's remarks have reignited discussions about the implications of U.S. foreign policy and military decisions in the region.