Afghanistan’s Bagram airbase is strategically vital in the region, and if reports are to be believed, the Taliban has handed it over to the United States.

According to the Khaama Press News Agency, the C-17 aircraft landed at the air base with military equipment, vehicles, and intelligence officials. A few Pakistani journalists also claimed the reports but the social media handle of the Taliban has rejected the claims. 

Pak Journalist Claims

After the US Army left Afghanistan in 2021, the Chinese regime was also eying the strategic airbase and a delegation of China reached the airbase too. Pakistani journalist Zark Shabab claimed in a column on the Medium website that the deputy chief of the CIA also landed with US intelligence officials. 

Taliban Rejects Reports

A Pakistani report highlighted how important Bagram airbase is for the United States. However, the Talibans did not confirm any such reports. It shows that the United States wants to keep the air base for its intelligence network. The Bagram air base was the centre of the US Army during its stay in Afghanistan. 

Taliban wants recognition and money, say Analysts

Earlier, Taliban was not ready to hand over the airbase, but the recent development shows that the Taliban’s strategic move has changed its earlier stance. Analysts believe that the US and Taliban have come together against the ISKP to whom Pakistan provides training. It is believed that the Taliban wants recognition and money from the United States and the Bagram air base is close to China’s border, which is significant for the United States. 

China would be upset If the United States returned to the Bagram airbase in full capacity. China has already made major investments in Afghanistan as it is eying the mineral resources of Afghanistan.