KABUL – The Taliban warned Afghanistan’s neighbours Wednesday againstallowing the United States to operate military bases on their soil, theinsurgents insisting they would thwart such a “historic mistake”.

Washington is in the final stages of withdrawing its troops fromAfghanistan, and a flurry of diplomatic calls between the United States andPakistan in recent days has fuelled speculation the Pentagon is scoutingfor new bases to use against the Taliban.

“We urge neighbouring countries not to allow anyone to do so,” the Talibansaid in a statement.

“If such a step is taken again, it will be a great and historic mistake anddisgrace.”

They would “not remain silent in the face of such heinous and provocativeacts”, the statement added.

Several of Afghanistan’s neighbours allowed the US military limited use ofair bases in the early 2000s after the overthrow of the Taliban.

Such overt physical support has largely ended, however, although somecountries do allow their airspace to be used for military flights.

Pakistan on Tuesday dismissed local media reports that it had struck a newdeal with Washington.

“This news is baseless and speculative,” Foreign Minister Shah MahmoodQureshi told the Senate.

“I want to make it clear on the floor of the house… that Pakistan, underthe leadership of Imran Khan, will never allow any American base on itssoil.”

The Taliban and Washington entered into a landmark deal last year thatpaved the way for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan.

In return, the Taliban said it would not allow Afghanistan to be a base forjihadist groups such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

US President Joe Biden announced last month that all remaining 2,500American troops would leave Afghanistan by September 11, the 20thanniversary of Al-Qaeda attacks in the United States that led to theinvasion of the country.

But the withdrawal has raised concerns over whether Afghan governmentforces alone can fight the Taliban.

Violence has soared in recent weeks as government forces and the Talibanclash in near-daily battles, with the insurgents pressing on with theircampaign to capture more territory as peace talks to end the war remaindeadlocked. -APP/AFP