Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid is expected to make an official visit to China in the coming days with the approval of their leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, local sources told Amu.
The decision came after recent remarks by President Trump about retaking Bagram air base. Sources said Akhundzada agreed to the trip during a meeting with advisers and members of the Taliban’s council of scholars. The Taliban Foreign Ministry has been tasked with making preparations, they said.
According to the sources, China extended the invitation after Trump repeated calls for the United States to reclaim Bagram and recover military equipment left behind.
No further details about Yaqoob’s schedule or agenda have been released. The Taliban have not commented publicly.
The planned trip comes as reports suggest China is closely monitoring the Taliban’s readiness to respond to any possible U.S. operations. Russia’s Nezavisimaya Gazeta earlier reported that Beijing has been assessing the Taliban’s ability to counter potential American moves in Afghanistan.
Kandahar, the Taliban’s power base, has drawn increased attention following Trump’s statements. Multiple sources, including one from Akhundzada’s office, told Amu that until last Thursday, Sept. 25 the Taliban leader had not met with officials despite earlier reports of heightened consultations.
Sources said preparations are underway to convene a Taliban cabinet meeting in Kandahar to discuss Bagram. While the Taliban have not issued a formal statement, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid previously told Al Arabiya that they rejected Washington’s request regarding the air base.
Trump has repeatedly underscored the importance of Bagram. Over the past week he has again emphasized retaking the base and the U.S. weapons left behind.
