The National Resistance Front (NRF) has claimed that China is operating at Afghanistan’s former US military base in Bagram, accusing the Taliban of facilitating foreign interference in Afghanistan.
Ali Maisam Nazary, head of foreign relations for the NRF, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday that there are “credible reports” confirming a Chinese presence at the Bagram strategic airbase north of Kabul.
Nazary accused the Taliban of enabling regional and international terrorist networks and acting as a proxy for foreign powers. He argued that the Taliban have never fought for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, but rather for “extremist ideology and personal gain by exploiting the people and resources of the country.”
He warned that any use of Afghanistan’s territory, assets or resources by foreign entities without the consent of its people is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly claimed that Bagram Airbase is now under Chinese control. In a recent statement, Trump once again asserted that China is operating the base.
The Taliban, however, have previously denied any foreign military presence at Bagram. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated last year that Afghanistan is independent, and Taliban will not hand over Afghan soil to any country.
Reports in bne IntelliNews, citing The Telegraph, recently claimed that China has taken over operations at the former US military facility in Bagram.
However, former US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad rejected the reports, saying on Saturday that claims about Chinese control of the base are “not accurate.”
Originally constructed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s, Bagram was significantly expanded during the US presence in Afghanistan. The base features two runways, dozens of aircraft shelters, and infrastructure capable of hosting thousands of troops.
A former NATO official recently today Reuters that Bagram is a strategic asset, and its use by any foreign power will have regional consequences.
