There have been several reports of military planes arriving at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, just hours after images were broadcast showing power was restored to the base for the first time since US forces evacuated the bastion in July.
Images circulating on social media appear to show the airbase’s searchlights lit in the distance, amid reports that several military planes have taken off and landed at the base in recent hours.
Several sources suggest the planes are Chinese, as the Taliban lack the expertise to power the base or maintain and fly multiple military planes.
It comes after Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center think tank, said China would likely be very interested in occupying the air base after the US pulls out.
US forces in Afghanistan abandoned their main base at Bagram Airport overnight in July – turning off the lights and slipping away overnight without telling government forces who were supposed to take over.
Images circulating on social media appear to show the airbase’s searchlights blazing in the distance for the first time since U.S. forces abandoned the base in July
It comes after Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center think tank, said China would likely be very interested in occupying the air base after the US pulls out.
It has been confirmed by several sources that several military planes arrived at the air base after it was first powered up since the withdrawal of the United States.
There is unconfirmed information that the planes arriving at Bagram are Chinese military planes, although this has not been verified by credible sources.
The military airfield, located about an hour from Kabul, was first established by the Soviets during their own occupation of Afghanistan, after which it was seized by US forces and used as one of their main bases of operations for 20 years.
According to US News & World Report, China plans to send military personnel and economic development officials to Bagram Air Base and has conducted a “feasibility study” on the effect of such a plan as part of its “Belt and Road Initiative”.
A decision to occupy Bagram Air Base would help strengthen relations with the Taliban and further embarrass America.
The report was denied by a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
“What I can tell everyone is that this is purely false information,” Wang Wenbin told reporters last month.
But Sun Yun was wary of the Chinese denial and said Chinese forces would be very interested in occupying the base.
“Given their past experience, the Chinese must be eager to get their hands on whatever the United States has left behind,” Sun said.
Taliban fighters had occupied the airfield after the US withdrawal, but it is not believed that they have the equipment or expertise to restore power to the entire base, let alone conduct flight operations. inside and outside the aerodrome.
For their part, the Taliban rejected the idea that Bagram Air Base was occupied by Chinese forces, but made no mention of who might have illuminated the lights at the base or the origin of the landing planes. on the airfield.
The communist country, led by President Xi Jinping, is said to have conducted a feasibility study on the effect of such a plan as part of its “Belt and Road”
Afghanistan Times says Taliban rejected idea Chinese military occupied base
Other theories indicate that the Taliban or the NRF could have illuminated the base, but the Taliban is not believed to have the equipment or the expertise to do so.
Taliban fighters had occupied the airfield after the US withdrawal, but it is not believed that they have the equipment or expertise to restore power to the entire base, let alone conduct military operations. flight operations inside and outside the aerodrome
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations and Governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley appeared to predict something like this in the wake of the US departure.
“We have to watch China because I think you’re going to see China take a step for Bagram Air Base,” Haley said in an interview with Fox News as she pleaded to reconnect with allies who felt abandoned by a precipitous fall. Withdrawal.
“I think they are also taking a step in Afghanistan and trying to use Pakistan to become stronger to face India.
“So we have a lot of problems. The biggest thing he should do is strengthen our allies, strengthen those relationships, modernize our military, and make sure we are prepared for the cyber crimes and terrorist crimes that lie ahead.
While Western countries evacuated their embassies, the Chinese mission continued to function. Their security guards simply switch from Afghan government security forces to Taliban gunmen.
While Western countries evacuated their embassies, the Chinese mission continued to function
The Taliban have already started discussing cooperation plans with Beijing.
A Taliban spokesperson told an Italian newspaper that the new Afghan leadership will depend mainly on funding from China as it seeks to head off a looming humanitarian crisis and begin reconstruction.
“China is our most important partner and represents a fundamental and extraordinary opportunity for us, as it is ready to invest and rebuild our country,” Zabihullah Mujahid told La Repubblica in an interview.
Since 2002, the base has been one of the major symbols of the American war in Afghanistan
He also praised the new Silk Road – which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative that China uses to open up trade routes – and said Beijing’s investments could help reopen copper mines.
A report suggests that China’s deployment might not happen for two years and that it would not involve taking over the base, simply sending personnel at the invitation of the Taliban.
China will likely achieve its last ambitions for Bagram with help from Pakistan, Sun said, adding: “I’m sure they would like to cut out the middlemen,” she added. “If the Taliban ask for help from China, I think China will be inclined to send human support. Most likely, they will present it as technical support or logistical support.
A Taliban spokesman told an Italian newspaper that the new Afghan leadership will depend mainly on funding from China as it seeks to head off a looming humanitarian crisis.
