The National Resistance Front (NRF) has alleged that China is now operating out of Afghanistan’s former US military base in Bagram, accusing the Taliban of facilitating foreign interference and compromising the country’s sovereignty. Ali Maisam Nazary, head of foreign relations for the NRF, stated in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday that there are “credible reports” confirming a Chinese presence at the strategically vital airbase north of Kabul.
Nazary accused the Taliban of acting as proxies for foreign powers, enabling regional and international terrorist networks, and exploiting Afghanistan’s resources for ideological and personal gain. “The Taliban have never fought for Afghanistan’s sovereignty,” he asserted, “but 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 explicit consent of the Afghan people is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Former US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly claimed that China has taken control of Bagram. In a recent statement, Trump reiterated his long-standing assertion, maintaining that China is now operating the facility.
However, the Taliban administration has consistently denied such allegations. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated last year that “Afghanistan is an independent country,” and rejected any suggestion that Afghan soil would be handed over to another state.
Adding to the speculation, bne IntelliNews, citing The Telegraph, recently reported that China has taken over operations at the former US military facility. Bagram, originally built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s and significantly expanded during the American presence in Afghanistan, includes two runways, fortified aircraft shelters, and infrastructure capable of accommodating thousands of troops.
Contradicting the latest reports, former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, dismissed claims of Chinese control over the base. In a statement on Saturday, Khalilzad said the reports are “not accurate.”
Meanwhile, a former NATO official told Reuters that Bagram remains a strategic asset, and any use of the facility by a foreign power “will have regional consequences.”
The controversy over Bagram’s current status highlights growing concerns about foreign influence and the Taliban’s role in Afghanistan’s evolving geopolitical landscape.
