Taliban deny reports of American airbase takeover

Taliban military helicopters fly to celebrate the third anniversary of Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, at the Bagram Air Base, in Bagram, Parwan province on August 14, 2024. (AFP/File Photo)
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Updated 08 April 2025
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Taliban deny reports of American airbase takeover

  • Chief spokesman: ‘The Islamic Emirate will not allow such an action’
  • Rumors spread after US military flight landed at Bagram reportedly carrying top intelligence officials

LONDON: The Taliban have denied rumors that Afghanistan’s Bagram airbase has been handed back to the US, The Independent reported on Tuesday.

The denial followed the flight of a US military cargo plane into Afghanistan over the weekend.

The C-17 aircraft took off from Al-Udeid in Qatar and arrived in Afghanistan via Pakistan, landing at Bagram on Sunday, local media reported.

Khaama Press reported that the flight was carrying top US intelligence officials, including Michael Ellis, the CIA’s deputy chief.

It added that the Taliban handed the base to the US in the wake of comments by President Donald Trump expressing an interest in the facility, located north of Kabul.

However, the Taliban’s chief spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid dismissed the reports as “propaganda” and said the government maintains full control of the base.

“There is no need for any country’s military presence in Afghanistan at present and the Islamic Emirate will not allow such an action,” he added, describing an American takeover of the base as “impossible.”

Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman for Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry, told The Independent: “This news (of the takeover) is not correct.”

Bagram, the size of a small city, served as the command node for coalition forces during the 20-year war against the Taliban before the group recaptured Afghanistan in 2021.

It has two runways, 100 parking spaces for jets, a passenger lounge, a 50-bed hospital, and numerous hangar-sized tents housing equipment.


Fourth Palestine Action activist ends hunger strike in UK prison

Protesters take part in a demonstration in support of "Defend Our Juries" and their campaign against the ban on Palestine Action
Updated 24 December 2025
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Fourth Palestine Action activist ends hunger strike in UK prison

  • Amy Gardiner-Gibson began eating again after 49 days of protest
  • Govt rejects claims it ignored prison safety protocols

LONDON: A fourth Palestine Action activist imprisoned in the UK has ended her hunger strike.

Amy Gardiner-Gibson, who also uses the name Amu Gib, began eating again after 49 days of fasting, the campaign group Prisoners for Palestine said.

Qesser Zuhrah, another activist, ended her hunger strike last week after 48 days but said she might resume it next year, Sky News reported.

Four Palestine Action activists have now ended their hunger strikes while in prison, while four others are continuing to fast.

All of them are in prison on remand, awaiting trial for a series of high-profile alleged break-ins and criminal damage.

Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization and banned earlier this year.

On Tuesday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London at a rally in support of the hunger strikers.

The protesters are demanding that weapons factories in Britain with ties to Israel be shut down, as well as the removal of Palestine Action’s proscription.

They are also calling for immediate bail to be given to imprisoned pro-Palestine activists and an end to the alleged mistreatment of prisoners in custody.

Seven imprisoned members of Palestine Action have been transferred to hospital over the course of the hunger strike campaign. Doctors have highlighted concerns about the long-term impact of fasting on the activists.

Lawyers representing the group on Monday initiated legal action against the government over its alleged failure to follow prison safety regulations.

The government, however, has rejected this accusation, Sky News reported.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Ministers do not intervene in individual cases. Where individuals are on remand, doing so would risk prejudicing ongoing legal proceedings and undermine the independence of the justice system.

“Concerns about welfare and process can be raised through established legal and administrative channels, including prison governors and ultimately the prison and probation ombudsman.

“Healthcare decisions are taken independently by qualified NHS professionals and appropriate care and oversight frameworks remain in place.”

The activists still on hunger strike include Heba Muraisi and Teuta Hoxha. Hoxha has been on remand for 13 months and her family told Sky News they feared she would die in prison.

Another of the activists, Kamran Ahmad, is believed to have been on hunger strike for 45 days and hospitalized three times.

Lewie Chiaramello, who has Type 1 diabetes, is on day 31 of his strike and taking part by fasting every other day.