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Taliban and US engage in prisoner swap brokered by Qatar

On January 21, Afghanistan’s Taliban government confirmed that there had been a prisoner exchange with the United States, mediated by Qatar. It involved an Afghan detainee in return for US citizens held hostage by the Taliban.

Khan Mohammad, an Afghan fighter serving life in California for almost two decades since his arrest in Nangarhar province, was also freed. The Afghan foreign ministry made the announcement of the exchange in a statement.

The transfer of power takes place after what has been reported as the ‘transition of power’ in the U.S.-outgoing President Joe Biden handing the mantle over to the winner, Donald Trump, who swore the oath on 20th January.

Local reports say two U.S. nationals released from Taliban captivity have been identified to be William McKenty and Ryan Corbett with the latter remaining in Taliban detention since 2022.

After Trump’s election in November 2024, the Taliban had hoped for a “new chapter” in U.S.-Taliban relations. They welcomed the exchange of prisoners as an “act of patience” toward the resolution of conflict through negotiation and expressed gratitude to Qatar’s emir over his country’s facilitating role in the deal. The Taliban said any step towards the normalization process with the United States is considered positively by our leadership.

Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, the militant group has detained several foreigners in a bid to further complicate diplomatic relations.

After his release, the family of Corbett said in a statement, “Today, our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives.”

Source
Wion News

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