Taliban Dismiss Reports of U.S. Aircraft Landing, Assert Full Control Over Bagram Air Base

The Taliban government has categorically denied reports of a U.S. military aircraft landing at Bagram Air Base, asserting that it maintains complete control over the former American military stronghold located 50 kilometers north of Kabul.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid addressed the claims during a broadcast on Afghanistan National Radio, labeling the media reports as “baseless propaganda” and emphasizing that Afghanistan remains an independent nation with fully sovereign security forces.

“There has been no landing of any U.S. military aircraft in Bagram,” Mujahid stated. “Such rumors are aimed at creating confusion and undermining the peace and security in our country.”

The clarification comes in response to speculation in Afghan media alleging that a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft had touched down at the base on Monday. These reports sparked widespread online debate and fueled geopolitical rumors, particularly following a separate claim last month by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting the base had come under Chinese control — a claim the Taliban also firmly denied.

Bagram Air Base was the epicenter of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan for nearly two decades before being handed over to Afghan forces in July 2021, ahead of the complete U.S. withdrawal later that August.

Reaffirming the Taliban’s position, Mujahid reiterated that no foreign military presence is permitted on Afghan soil, and accused “certain foreign and domestic elements” of attempting to incite instability by circulating unverified information.

The Taliban’s firm stance reflects their ongoing efforts to project national sovereignty and counter claims of external influence or interference, particularly as Afghanistan continues to navigate internal governance challenges and fragile regional relations.