(FILE) Taliban security personnel take part in a military parade to celebrate the third anniversary of the Taliban government takeover, in Bagram, Afghanistan, 14 August 2024. EFE-EPA/SAMIULLAH POPAL
Kabul, Apr 7 (EFE).- The de facto Taliban government said Monday that it retained absolute control of Bagram Air Base, the former headquarters of US forces in Afghanistan, located north of Kabul, after local media reported a US aircraft landing there.
Taliban’s chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, told Afghanistan National Radio that the “rumors” were not true and stressed that Afghanistan was an independent country, with independent security forces.
Mujahid’s statements came in response to Afghan media reports that a US C-17 military aircraft had landed at the air base on Monday, a story Mujahid called “baseless propaganda.”
Bagram Air Base is located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Kabul and was for years the main center of US military operations in Afghanistan until the final withdrawal of US troops in August 2021.
In March, Mujahid denied a claim by US President Donald Trump that the base was now under Chinese control.
As he did on Monday, the spokesperson reiterated that there was no need for foreign military presence on Afghan territory and accused those spreading such information of seeking to create instability. EFE
lk-lgm/pd
