The Afghan Taliban warned neighboring countries on Wednesday not to allowthe US army to use their military bases and airspace against Afghanistan.

In a statement, Afghan Taliban linkspokesman Zabihullah Mujahidlink said various media outletshave quoted well-known sources as saying that the US wants to be present intheir neighborhood after withdrawing from Afghanistan to carry outoperations in their country.

“We urge our neighboring countries not to allow anyone to take such adecision. If such step is taken, it will be a great and historic mistakeand disgrace,” Mujahid said in a statement written in the Pashto languageand shared with Anadolu Agency.

“The Afghan Muslim and Mujahid nation will not remain silent against suchheinous and provocative actions, but will fulfill its religious andhistorical responsibility as it has done in the past,” he warned, addingthat any country that allows the US to use their space and land againstAfghanistan will bear the full responsibility.

He said they have already assured the neighboring countries that Afghansoil will not be used against anyone, and that they also expect theirneighbors not to allow the US to use their land or airspace againstAfghanistan.

“Foreign forces in the region are the root cause of unrest and war, and thegreat tragedy that everyone has witnessed in the last 20 years,” he added.

The Taliban statement came after some media reports that Pakistan willallow the US military to use its ground and airspace following itswithdrawal from Afghanistan.

Last week, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Affairs DavidF. Helvey told the US Senate Armed Services Committee that Pakistan hasallowed the US military to use its airspace and given ground access so thatit can support its presence in Afghanistan, the local English daily Dawnreported.

However, on Monday, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry rejected these reportsand said there was no US military or airbase in Pakistan, neither any suchproposal envisaged.