Senior Taliban Official Says US Demanded Military Base in Afghanistan During Doha Talks

A senior Taliban official has said that the United States demanded the establishment of a military base in Afghanistan during the Doha talks. Shahabuddin Delawar made the statement at a public meeting held in Kabul. He addressed various aspects of the negotiations that led to the Doha Agreement.

Delawar claimed that Zalmay Khalilzad argued during the Doha talks that the presence of figures like General Dostum and Atta Mohammad Noor was controlled by the United States. He said Khalilzad warned of a loss of control and possible disintegration of Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal. These remarks were part of the discussions according to the Taliban official.

The senior official rejected any suggestion of secret appendices to the Doha Agreement beyond those related to protections for U.S. troop movements. Delawar specified that the only appendices concerned U.S. forces not being targeted while moving between provinces. He emphasized that the Taliban have upheld their commitments since the agreement was signed in 2020.

Delawar further stated that after the signing of the Doha Agreement, the Taliban carried out no attacks against U.S. forces. He noted that no American soldier was killed in such incidents. The official also mentioned that U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated the possibility of the United States returning to Bagram Air Base.