Islamabad, Pakistan — A prisoner swap between america and Afghanistan’s Taliban freed two People in trade for a Taliban determine imprisoned for all times in California on drug trafficking costs, officers stated Tuesday.
The deal got here as President Joe Biden, who oversaw the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, handed energy over to returning President Donald Trump.
The Taliban praised the swap as a step towards the “normalization” of ties between the U.S. and Afghanistan however that possible stays a tall order as most nations on the planet nonetheless do not acknowledge the militants’ rule.
The Taliban’s Overseas Ministry in Kabul confirmed the swap, saying two unidentified U.S. residents had been exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to 2 phrases of life imprisonment in 2008.
In an announcement, the household of Ryan Corbett, one American held by the Taliban, confirmed he’d been launched. Corbett, who lived in Afghanistan together with his household on the time of the 2021 collapse of the U.S.-backed authorities, was kidnapped by the Taliban in August 2022 whereas on a enterprise journey.
Courtesy Corbett household
“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 probably the most difficult and unsure 894 days of our lives,” the household’s assertion stated. They thanked each Mr. Trump and Biden, in addition to many officers of each administrations, for his or her efforts in liberating him.
Corbett’s household additionally praised the Center East nation of Qatar for its “important position in facilitating Ryan’s launch, and for his or her visits to Ryan as america’ Defending Energy in Afghanistan.” Vitality-rich Qatar, which has hosted negotiations between the U.S. and Taliban through the years, did not instantly reply to requests for remark.
Earlier than Biden left workplace, his administration had been attempting to work out a deal to free Corbett in addition to George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi in trade for Muhammad Rahim, one of many remaining detainees at Guantanamo Bay.
Final week, Biden spoke with relatives of the three Americans however there was no deal to get them again at the moment, relations stated.
Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was taken by the Taliban’s intelligence providers in December 2022 whereas touring by the nation. Habibi, an Afghan American businessman who labored as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications firm, additionally went lacking in 2022. The Taliban has denied that it has Habibi.
It wasn’t instantly clear if both of the 2 males was the opposite launched. Officers in Washington did not reply to requests for remark early Tuesday after Mr. Trump’s inauguration the day earlier than.
The Corbett household assertion stated, “It was our hope that Ryan, George and Mahmoud could be returned to their households collectively, and we can’t think about the ache that our success will carry them. We acknowledge the immense privilege of our household’s reunion at the moment, and pledge to maintain praying – and combating – for George and Mahmoud’s swift launch.”
The Taliban referred to as the trade the results of “lengthy and fruitful negotiations” with the U.S. and stated it was instance of fixing issues by dialogue.
“The Islamic Emirate seems to be positively on the actions of america of America that assist the normalization and growth of relations between the 2 nations,” it stated.
The Taliban has been attempting to make inroads in being acknowledged, partially to flee the financial tailspin attributable to its takeover. Billions in worldwide funds have been frozen and tens of hundreds of extremely expert Afghans fled the nation and took their cash with them.
