In a bid to free Americans detained in Afghanistan, U.S. officials have entered new discussions with the Taliban, proposing a trade for a Guantánamo Bay prisoner, amid concerns over the health and status of the hostages.
U.S. Seeks Taliban Negotiations for Release of Americans in Afghanistan
U.S. Seeks Taliban Negotiations for Release of Americans in Afghanistan
The Biden administration is pushing for negotiations with the Taliban to secure the return of American citizens held in Afghanistan, potentially involving a prisoner swap.
Article Text:
U.S. officials have intensified efforts over the weekend to negotiate with the Taliban for the release of American citizens held in Afghanistan. While details of these discussions remain under wraps, sources close to the matter indicate that the Biden administration is contemplating a prisoner exchange involving Muhammad Rahim, an Afghan detainee at Guantánamo Bay since 2008.
The U.S. government categorizes Rahim as a significant Al Qaeda figure, though critics argue that he was merely a courier and translator, implying that he may pose little to no risk if released. Currently, the Taliban have confirmed the detention of two Americans: George Glezmann, taken in December 2022 while touring the country, and Ryan Corbett, a longtime Afghanistan resident who was captured in August 2022 during a business trip.
Complicating matters further is a third American, Mahmood Habibi, whose situation remains unclear. Although the U.S. government is advocating for his return, the Taliban have not confirmed whether they are holding him. Habibi, a naturalized American, was captured shortly after the U.S. drone strike in 2022 that killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri. His family has reported that he was taken alongside 30 colleagues from Asia Consultancy Group, suspected of involvement in the strike, but U.S. officials have declined to reveal his role or the status of his condition.
The evolving situation highlights the complexities of the U.S.-Taliban relationship, as the Biden administration navigates the safe return of its citizens from Taliban custody amid broader geopolitical uncertainties.
U.S. officials have intensified efforts over the weekend to negotiate with the Taliban for the release of American citizens held in Afghanistan. While details of these discussions remain under wraps, sources close to the matter indicate that the Biden administration is contemplating a prisoner exchange involving Muhammad Rahim, an Afghan detainee at Guantánamo Bay since 2008.
The U.S. government categorizes Rahim as a significant Al Qaeda figure, though critics argue that he was merely a courier and translator, implying that he may pose little to no risk if released. Currently, the Taliban have confirmed the detention of two Americans: George Glezmann, taken in December 2022 while touring the country, and Ryan Corbett, a longtime Afghanistan resident who was captured in August 2022 during a business trip.
Complicating matters further is a third American, Mahmood Habibi, whose situation remains unclear. Although the U.S. government is advocating for his return, the Taliban have not confirmed whether they are holding him. Habibi, a naturalized American, was captured shortly after the U.S. drone strike in 2022 that killed Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri. His family has reported that he was taken alongside 30 colleagues from Asia Consultancy Group, suspected of involvement in the strike, but U.S. officials have declined to reveal his role or the status of his condition.
The evolving situation highlights the complexities of the U.S.-Taliban relationship, as the Biden administration navigates the safe return of its citizens from Taliban custody amid broader geopolitical uncertainties.
