Bagram Airfield

Bagram Airfield : Recently, the U.S. President claimed China occupies Bagram Airfield which was vacated by U.S. forces in 2021. However, the Taliban denied any Chinese presence, asserting full control over the base.

• About Bagram: Located in Parwan province, 60 km north of Kabul, Bagram is Afghanistan’s largest airbase.

oProvides strategic access via the Salang Pass and major highways connecting all parts of the country.

oServed as the central hub for U.S. military operations in Afghanistan.

• Timeline of Control:

o1950s: Built by the Soviets.

o1979–89: Used extensively during the Soviet-Afghan war.

o1990s: Fell into disrepair, contested by the Taliban and Northern Alliance.

o2001–2021: Revived and expanded by the U.S. as a major operational hub.

oJuly 2021: U.S. forces vacated Bagram.

oAugust 15, 2021: Taliban took control.