A prisoner swap between the United States and Afghanistan's Taliban has resulted in the release of two Americans in exchange for a Taliban figure imprisoned for life in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges. The swap took place as Joe Biden handed power over to returning President Donald Trump, following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
The Taliban's Foreign Ministry in Kabul confirmed the exchange, stating that two unidentified U.S. citizens were traded for Khan Mohammed, who had been serving two life sentences since 2008. One of the released Americans, Ryan Corbett, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip in Afghanistan. His family expressed gratitude for his safe return and thanked both Trump and Biden for their efforts.
The second American released was identified as William McKenty, with limited details available about his identity or activities in Afghanistan. Khan Mohammed, the Taliban figure imprisoned in California, has returned to Afghanistan and reunited with his family.
Mohammed was convicted in 2008 for drug trafficking and terrorism-related charges, being described by the Justice Department as a 'violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker.' He was the first person to be convicted under U.S. narco-terrorism laws.
The prisoner swap was part of negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban, with the latter viewing it as a positive step towards normalizing relations with the United States. The Taliban have been seeking recognition to address the economic challenges following their takeover of Afghanistan, which led to frozen international funds and a significant exodus of skilled Afghans.
The exchange also involved efforts to free other individuals held by the Taliban, including George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi. The families of these detainees expressed hope for their release under the new Trump administration, citing frustrations with the previous Biden team's handling of the situation.
Overall, the prisoner swap reflects ongoing diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and the Taliban, with both parties emphasizing the importance of dialogue in resolving conflicts and improving bilateral relations.
