According to foreign media today, the Taliban replied to Trump: "We are ready to fight for another 20 years."

Afghan Defense Minister Mohammad Jakub Mujahid mocked Trump's request to return the Bagram Airfield:

A Taliban representative said: "Our answer is: if you do not leave and want to occupy the base, we are ready to fight with you for another 20 years."

Earlier today (September 20), Trump posted a threat saying that Afghanistan would face consequences if the Taliban refused to return control of the Bagram Airfield to the United States.

The Bagram Airfield is located about 50 kilometers north of Kabul, Afghanistan, covering an area of 77 square kilometers, with two runways each over 3,000 meters long, capable of accommodating fighter jets, bombers, and large transport aircraft. It was the main base used by U.S. forces after the "9/11" attacks under the pretext of "counter-terrorism," and it is the largest airbase in Afghanistan. It once served as a crucial hub for U.S. operations and supply in Afghanistan.

In July 2021, U.S. and NATO forces withdrew from the Bagram base, and on August 30, the U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, with the Bagram base being taken over by the Afghan Taliban organization.

On September 18, 2025, Trump told reporters in the UK that his government was preparing to retake the Bagram Airfield, claiming the base has strategic value, and made a forced argument that "the base is close to China's nuclear facilities."

Today (September 20), Trump threatened the Afghan government on the social media platform "Truth Social," demanding that they "return" control of the Bagram Airfield to the United States, or else "bad things will happen." Afghan officials have clearly stated their opposition to the resumption of U.S. military presence, and Afghan interim government Foreign Ministry official Zaki Jalali once posted that any dialogue between Afghanistan and the United States should exclude the option of U.S. troops returning to Afghanistan.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843868520647684/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.