Taliban Release American Prisoners in Exchange for Afghan Fighter Held in US
Kabul: The Taliban government announced Tuesday the release of American citizens from custody in exchange for an Afghan fighter held in the United States, marking a rare diplomatic arrangement brokered by Qatar.
The Afghan foreign ministry confirmed the exchange, stating, “An Afghan fighter, Khan Mohammad, imprisoned in America, has been released in exchange for American citizens and returned to the country.”
Details of the Exchange
Khan Mohammad had been serving a life sentence in California after being arrested nearly 20 years ago in Nangarhar province. The Afghan government provided limited details, including the number of American prisoners involved, but US media identified them as William McKenty and Ryan Corbett.
Corbett’s family expressed gratitude for his release after 894 days in Taliban custody. “Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him back home,” they shared in a statement.
The deal, long under discussion, came to fruition after outgoing US President Joe Biden handed over the presidency to Donald Trump on Monday.
A Complex Diplomatic Arrangement
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid had previously indicated in July 2023 that two Americans were being held in Afghanistan and that negotiations for an exchange were underway. Qatar played a pivotal role in brokering the agreement, showcasing its influence in the region.
The exchange comes amid lingering criticism of Biden’s handling of the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan, a chaotic end to a 20-year conflict that began following the 9/11 attacks. The withdrawal followed a deal brokered by Trump’s administration to end US and NATO military involvement in the war.
This swap represents a rare instance of cooperation between the US and the Taliban, highlighting the complexities of ongoing diplomatic ties with Afghanistan under Taliban rule.