WASHINGTON — A recent prisoner exchange between the United States and the Taliban has led to the release of two Americans in return for a Taliban associate sentenced to life in prison in California for drug trafficking and terrorism, according to officials on Tuesday.
The agreement facilitated the release of Ryan Corbett and William McKenty, and was arranged by the Biden administration just before his departure from office, as stated by a Trump administration official who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the information.
The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry in Kabul confirmed that Corbett and McKenty were freed in exchange for Khan Mohammed, who had been sentenced to two life terms since 2008 for his criminal activities. Yesterday, Biden transferred power back to President Donald Trump amid ongoing discussions following the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The Taliban characterized this exchange as a move toward the “normalization” of relationships with the U.S.
Despite these advances, the task of establishing formal ties may be daunting; many nations still do not recognize Taliban governance, and reports suggest that two other American citizens are still being held. The Trump administration expressed enthusiasm for the release and expressed gratitude to Qatar for its intermediary role, emphasizing the need for additional efforts to secure the release of other Americans.
“The Trump Administration will continue to advocate for the release of all Americans held in Taliban custody, especially considering the substantial financial support the Taliban have received from the U.S. in recent years,” noted National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes.
Corbett, who was residing in Afghanistan with his family during the collapse of the previous government in 2021, was apprehended by the Taliban while on a business trip in August 2022. His family expressed immense relief and gratitude, stating, “Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude… for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives.” They acknowledged the contributions of both the Trump and Biden administrations in securing his release, along with commendations for Qatari officials who played a pivotal role in facilitating the negotiation.
A statement from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry indicated that those involved in the swap had passed through Doha and emphasized hopes that this agreement might foster further diplomatic resolutions.
The specifics surrounding McKenty’s activities in Afghanistan remain unclear, while the Biden administration had made considerable efforts to negotiate the release of Corbett and McKenty, as well as two others, George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in return for Muhammad Rahim, a detainee at Guantanamo Bay.
Previous proposals involving Glezmann and Habibi were declined by the Taliban, but an agreement was eventually reached late last week for the release of Corbett and McKenty after extensive negotiations in Qatar, as confirmed by a former senior Biden administration official.
Historically, previous negotiations have demonstrated that a successful trade can ease the process for future exchanges. This strategy was observed during discussions for American detainees held in Russia, where different Americans were traded in various negotiations.
Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was taken hostage by Taliban intelligence in December 2022 during his travels, while Habibi, an Afghan-American contractor, has also been missing since 2022. The Taliban, however, have denied holding Habibi.
Habibi’s family expressed their optimism towards the new Trump administration and their frustration with the Biden administration, suggesting that evidence regarding his well-being was available but not utilized effectively by Biden officials.
Furthermore, the initial plan for the release of Corbett and McKenty faced delays on Sunday night but was successfully executed on Tuesday, attributed to logistical issues and unfavorable weather conditions.
The traded figure, Mohammed, was convicted in 2008 and, as of Tuesday, was reported by the Bureau of Prisons as no longer in custody. Taliban officials reported that he was welcomed back to his home province in eastern Afghanistan, showcasing his reunion with family.
In a statement made to Taliban-affiliated media, Mohammed expressed joy in returning home and reuniting with fellow Muslims, adding details of his experiences in various detention centers.
Convicted for facilitating the trafficking of heroin and opium into the U.S., Mohammed was described by authorities as a “violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker” involved in assaults against U.S. forces.
The Taliban have been eager to establish international legitimacy amid efforts to resolve their country’s economic challenges, especially after numerous financial resources were frozen following their takeover. This situation has prompted many skilled Afghans to flee the country.
Regions, however, like the United Arab Emirates have continued to engage positively with the Taliban, demonstrated by recent visits from Taliban leaders. This dynamic persists even as the UAE maintains cooperative relationships with U.S. officials.
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This article was reported from various locations, gathering insights from numerous contributors to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in U.S.-Taliban relations.
