Trump Issues Vague Threat to Afghanistan Over Bagram Air Base

US President Donald Trump on Saturday warned Afghanistan of unspecified consequences if the Taliban-run country did not "give Bagram Airbase back."

Posting on his Truth Social account, the 79-year-old leader wrote, "If Afghanistan doesn't give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!"

The cryptic warning came days after he suggested the United States might retake the base during a state visit to the United Kingdom.

Bagram — Afghanistan's largest air base — was a central hub for the US-led campaign against the Taliban after Washington ousted the group following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other groups have long accused US forces at Bagram of systemic human rights abuses, particularly involving detainees held during Washington's opaque "War on Terror."

Trump has frequently complained about losing access to Bagram, citing its closeness to China, and said Thursday that he was actively pursuing its return.

"We're trying to get it back, by the way, that could be a little breaking news. We're trying to get it back because they need things from us," he told reporters at a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

US and NATO forces withdrew from Bagram in July 2021 amid a Trump-brokered peace deal, as the resurgent Taliban reclaimed territory and eventually took full control of the country.

Since returning to the presidency, Trump has repeatedly faulted his predecessor, Joe Biden, over the loss of the base and has voiced concerns about growing Chinese influence in Afghanistan.

Asked later at the White House whether he was considering sending troops to retake Bagram, the president declined to elaborate, saying, "We won't talk about that, but we're talking now to Afghanistan, and we want it back and we want it back soon, right away. And if they don't do it, you're going to find out what I'm going to do."