The Elusive Access: American Military Bases In Afghanistan

Afghanistan has been a strategically important location for the US military for over 20 years. The US has had access to at least ten official military bases on Afghan territory, including Bagram Air Base, Shindand Air Base, and Kandahar International Airport. These bases have been used to carry out military tasks and operations in the region. However, as of 2021, the US military has withdrawn from Afghanistan, handing over control of bases to the Afghan National Security and Defense Force. The US departure from Bagram Air Base, its largest base in Afghanistan, marked the end of its combat mission in the country.

The US has withdrawn from its largest base in Afghanistan, Bagram Airfield

Bagram Airfield, located in Parwan province, north of Kabul, was the last major US base in Afghanistan. The withdrawal is a significant step in President Joe Biden's pledge to end America's "forever wars" and withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021.

The airfield was turned over to Afghan forces with little fanfare, bringing an end to the US combat mission that began 20 years ago following the September 11 attacks. The base has a long history, dating back to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s. It was used by Soviet troops between 1979 and 1989 and was later taken over by US forces in 2001 to overthrow the Taliban regime.

The US departure from Bagram has sparked criticism from Afghan officials, who accused the US of leaving the base overnight without proper coordination, leaving the facilities vulnerable to looting and scavenging. Afghan military officials stated that the US left secretly, shutting off the electricity, and only notifying the new Afghan commander over two hours after their departure.

The withdrawal of US forces from Bagram comes amid growing concerns as the Taliban gains control of large areas of the country. US intelligence predicted that the Afghan government could fall to the Taliban within two years of the complete American withdrawal. Indeed, less than two months after the US withdrawal from Bagram, the Taliban seized control of Kabul, leading to a mass evacuation of residents and reports of human rights violations.

The US left behind approximately 3.5 million items at Bagram, including vehicles, weapons, ammunition, and supplies. The base played a crucial role in US operations in Afghanistan, with tens of thousands of US troops passing through over the years. With the handover of Bagram, the US has now departed from all major bases in Afghanistan, signalling the conclusion of its longest war in history.

The US has left five bases in Afghanistan

The US has withdrawn from Afghanistan, closing at least 10 bases across the country. The US left its largest base, Bagram Airfield, in July 2021, marking the end of its 20-year combat mission in Afghanistan.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has been described as "premature" and "partial", with CIA personnel, US-funded military contractors, and special operations forces remaining in the country. The US has also retained the ability to carry out airstrikes against the Taliban.

The US has a long history of maintaining bases in the Middle East, beginning in 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The US currently has approximately 750 military installations overseas.

The US departure from Bagram Airfield was conducted discreetly, with US forces shutting off the electricity and leaving in the night without notifying the new Afghan commander. The base was invaded by looters before the Afghan army could assume control.

The US left behind millions of items at Bagram Airfield, including vehicles, weapons, and ammunition. The US also blew up ammunition that could not be taken with them.

The US has received at least ten official military bases on Afghan territory

The US has had a significant military presence in Afghanistan since the invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001. At the height of the war, the US military had about 100,000 troops and 800 bases in the country. These bases varied in size, from small squad-sized checkpoints to city-sized installations.

Bagram Air Base, located in Parwan Province, Afghanistan, was the largest US base in the country. It was operated jointly by the US Army and Air Force and included forces from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, as well as Coalition Forces and civilians. The base was turned over to Afghan forces in July 2021, marking the end of the US combat mission in Afghanistan.

Another major US base was Kandahar International Airport, which served as a headquarters for the US-led Regional Command South. The airport was operated by the US until 2006 and then taken over by NATO.

In addition to these larger bases, the US also maintained several forward operating bases and combat outposts throughout the country. These included Camp Dwyer, Camp Leatherneck, and FOB Delaram, among others.

The US military presence in Afghanistan has raised questions about the country's long-term interests in the region. Observers believe that the US sought to use Afghanistan as a permanent military base to increase its influence in Central Asia and the Middle East and counter the expansion of China and Russia.

While the US has withdrawn its troops and closed its bases in Afghanistan, there are still thousands of US troops and hundreds of bases throughout the broader Middle East, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, Turkey, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Djibouti, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iraq, and Syria.

The US military presence in Afghanistan has raised concerns in regional states such as Iran, Pakistan, China and Russia

The US military presence in Afghanistan has raised concerns in regional states such as Iran, Pakistan, China, and Russia. These countries have been wary of the US military bases in Afghanistan, which are seen as a potential source of regional instability and a threat to their own strategic interests.

Iran has had a complex relationship with Afghanistan, dating back to the US-backed mujahideen insurgency against the Soviet-backed government in the 1980s. Iran played a significant role in the formation of the post-Taliban government in Afghanistan and has maintained close ties with various factions within the country. The presence of US military bases in Afghanistan is seen by Iran as a potential threat to its influence in the region and a challenge to its security.

Pakistan has also had a fraught relationship with the US in recent years, with the two countries often at odds over issues such as counterterrorism and regional stability. Pakistan has been accused of harbouring terrorists and providing safe havens for militant groups, including the Taliban. The US military presence in Afghanistan, including the use of drone strikes and other counterinsurgency tactics, has been a source of tension between the two countries.

China, meanwhile, has been concerned about the potential impact of the US military presence in Afghanistan on its own interests in the region. With its own military base in Djibouti and plans for another in Equatorial Guinea, China is seeking to expand its military influence globally. The US presence in Afghanistan is seen by China as a potential obstacle to its economic and strategic goals in Central Asia and the Middle East.

Russia, too, has been wary of the US military presence in its backyard. With a history of intervention in Afghanistan, dating back to the Soviet invasion in 1979, Russia has maintained a close interest in the country's affairs. The US military bases are seen by Russia as a potential threat to its influence in Central Asia and a challenge to its own security interests in the region.

The concerns of these regional states have been heightened by the perception that the US military presence in Afghanistan is aimed at projecting American power and influence in the region. The US has sought to reassure its allies and partners that its presence is focused on counterterrorism and supporting the Afghan government. However, the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021, and the subsequent collapse of the Afghan government and return to power by the Taliban, have raised further questions about the US commitment to the region and the stability of the entire Central Asian region.

The US military base in Bagram was built by the Soviets and used by Soviet troops between 1979 and 1989

The US military base in Bagram, Afghanistan, was initially built by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. The airfield was constructed against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and was visited by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1959. After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the Bagram base became a vital military hub and served as the main base for Soviet troops until their withdrawal in 1989.

During the 1980s Soviet-Afghan War, Bagram played a crucial role as a hub for Soviet forces' operations and as a base for their troops and supplies. The base was also the initial staging point for the invading Soviet forces, with elements of two Soviet Airborne Troops' divisions being deployed there. Aircraft based at Bagram provided close air support for Soviet and Afghan troops in the field.

Following the Soviet withdrawal, the base fell into disrepair and was contested between the Northern Alliance and the Taliban in the 1990s. The base was eventually secured by British Special Forces during the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The US military then began occupying the base and expanded its facilities, adding a second runway, permanent barracks, gyms, and various dining and recreational options for troops.

Over the years, Bagram grew into a massive military installation, serving as the largest US base in Afghanistan until its handover to Afghan forces in 2021. The base has played a significant role in the US combat mission in the country and has accommodated tens of thousands of US and coalition troops.

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