The United States and the Taliban have exchanged prisoners, releasing two American citizens held in Afghanistan in return for Khan Mohammed, a convicted drug trafficker and terrorist serving a life sentence in California. The deal, brokered as the political landscape in the U.S. shifted with the return of President Donald Trump, represents a step towards normalizing relations between the two countries despite global non-recognition of the Taliban's rule.
A prisoner swap between the United States and the Taliban has secured the release of two American citizens held in Afghanistan . In exchange, the Taliban received the freedom of Khan Mohammed , a figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges. The deal, announced on Tuesday, unfolded as Joe Biden , the President who oversaw the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, handed over power to returning President Donald Trump on Monday.
The Taliban hailed the swap as a step towards 'normalizing' relations with the U.S., although most countries globally still do not recognize their rule.The Taliban's Foreign Ministry in Kabul confirmed the exchange, stating that two unidentified U.S. citizens were released in return for Mohammed. Mohammed, 55, was serving two life sentences stemming from a 2008 conviction on drug trafficking and terrorism charges. He was imprisoned in California until early Tuesday, when the Bureau of Prisons listed him as no longer in custody.Ryan Corbett's family, who had endured 894 days of agonizing uncertainty, confirmed his release in a statement. Corbett, residing in Afghanistan with his family during the 2021 collapse of the U.S.-backed government, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip. Both CNN and The New York Times, citing anonymous U.S. officials, identified the second American released as William McKenty, though details about his background and activities in Afghanistan remain scarce. '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,' the family's statement expressed. They extended their thanks to both Trump and Biden, along with numerous government officials, for their tireless efforts in securing his freedom. The family also commended Qatar, a Middle Eastern nation instrumental in facilitating Corbett's release and serving as the United States' Protecting Power in Afghanistan.Mohammed's capture occurred on the battlefield in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. He was subsequently taken to the U.S. A federal jury convicted him of facilitating heroin and opium trafficking destined for the United States, thereby aiding terrorist activities. The Justice Department at the time characterized Mohammed as 'a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker' who 'sought to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets.' He became the first individual convicted under U.S. narco-terrorism laws. Before Biden left office, his administration had been engaged in negotiations to secure the release of Corbett, along with George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, in exchange for Muhammad Rahim, a prominent detainee at Guantanamo Bay. Glezmann, an airline mechanic from Atlanta, was abducted by the Taliban's intelligence services in December 2022 during his travels through the country. Habibi, an Afghan-American businessman who worked as a contractor for a Kabul-based telecommunications company, also vanished in 2022. The Taliban has denied any knowledge of Habibi's whereabouts
Prisoner Swap Taliban United States Afghanistan Khan Mohammed Ryan Corbett William Mckenty Joe Biden Donald Trump Qatar Guantanamo Bay
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