The Taliban described the trade as a step towards normalising ties with the US, however broader recognition of the regime in Kabul stays unlikely.
The US and Afghanistan have struck a deal exchanging two American prisoners for Khan Mohammed, a Taliban member serving a life sentence in California on drug trafficking and terrorism fees.
Officers confirmed the swap as Donald Trump took workplace on Tuesday.
The Taliban’s international ministry in Kabul confirmed the deal, hailing it as a step towards the “normalisation” of ties between Afghanistan and the US. Nevertheless, broader worldwide recognition of Taliban rule stays unlikely.
Ryan Corbett, one of many freed People, was first detained by the Taliban in August 2022 throughout a enterprise journey. His household expressed appreciation after the information emerged.
“Our hearts are stuffed with overwhelming gratitude and reward to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him again dwelling after what has been essentially the most difficult and unsure 894 days of our lives,” they stated in an announcement.
Additionally they thanked each Trump and Biden administrations, in addition to Qatar, for negotiating Corbett’s launch.
The second American was recognized by nameless US officers as William McKenty, although particulars about his detention stay unclear.
Quid professional quo
Mohammed, 55, had been convicted in 2008 on fees of narco-terrorism, with the US Justice Division calling him a “violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker”.
He was accused of orchestrating heroin and opium shipments to the US to fund terrorist actions in addition to planning “to kill US troopers in Afghanistan utilizing rockets”.
As of early Tuesday, the US Bureau of Prisons indicated that Mohammed was now not in its custody.
Mohammed has since returned to Afghanistan and reunited together with his household, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, a deputy spokesperson for the Afghan Overseas Ministry confirmed. No public celebrations are deliberate for his launch.
Earlier than Joe Biden left workplace, his administration had tried to safe the discharge of two different People, George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, hoping to trade them for Muhammed Rahim, who’s being held at Guantanamo Bay.
Glezmann was detained by Taliban intelligence in 2022, whereas Habibi, who went lacking the identical yr, stays unaccounted for. The Taliban has denied he’s in custody.
The Taliban described the swap as the result of “lengthy and fruitful negotiations” and expressed optimism about furthering dialogue with the US.
“The Islamic Emirate seems to be positively on the actions of the US of America that assist the normalisation and improvement of relations between the 2 nations,” the assertion stated.
The trade comes because the Taliban seeks to achieve worldwide recognition and enhance Afghanistan’s financial disaster, brought on partly by frozen worldwide funds and the mass departure of expert nationals following their 2021 takeover.
