A prisoner swap between the United States and the Taliban resulted in the release of two Americans in exchange for a Taliban member jailed for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges, according to AP News.
The deal came after former US President Joe Biden, who oversaw the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021, handed over the presidency to Donald Trump.
The Taliban Foreign Ministry in Kabul confirmed the exchange, saying two US citizens were exchanged for Khan Mohammed, who was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment in 2008. Mohammed was found guilty on charges of possessing heroin and opium he knew was destined for the US and thus facilitating terrorist activity.
Meanwhile, the family of Ryan Corbett, one of the released Americans, praised Qatar where the negotiations took place “for their vital role in facilitating Ryan’s release, and for their visits to Ryan as the United States’ protecting power in Afghanistan.”
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.
US media, citing anonymous US officials, identified the second released American as William McKenty.
The Taliban, which is seeking recognition in part to avoid an economic crisis, called the exchange the result of “long and fruitful negotiations” with the US. It saw the swap as a step towards “normalisation” of relations between the US and Afghanistan.
The Islamic Emirate looks positively at the actions of the United States of America that help the normalisation and development of relations between the two countries.
