Two Americans, Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty, were released by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan after being held for an extended period. Their freedom came as part of a prisoner exchange deal with the United States.
In return, an Afghan national, Khan Mohmmad, who had been serving a life sentence in a California federal prison for drug trafficking and terrorism charges, was freed by the U.S.
The agreement was officially confirmed by the Taliban government in Kabul and is said to have been reached just before President Joe Biden’s term ended. Corbett’s release was personally confirmed by his family, and McKenty was identified by U.S. media, citing official sources.
The exchange, which has reportedly been in the works for two years, concluded on the final day of Biden’s presidency, just as Donald Trump was set to assume office.
“An Afghan fighter Khan Mohammed imprisoned in America has been released in exchange for American citizens and returned to the country,” the Taliban foreign ministry said in a statement.
The family of Ryan Corbett thanked both administrations as well as Qatar for what they described as its vital role.
“Today, 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 said.
Ryan Corbett, who had lived in Afghanistan for several years with his family, was detained by the Taliban over two years ago when he returned to the country for a business trip.
Details about William Wallace McKenty remain scarce, as his family has requested privacy regarding his situation.
Khan Mohammad, a Taliban member captured during the U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan, was imprisoned in 2008. Before leaving office, President Joe Biden commuted his sentence.
The Taliban described the exchange as the outcome of “long and fruitful negotiations” with the U.S., praising it as a positive example of resolving issues through dialogue.
“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,” it said.
Since the Taliban seized power in 2021, they have yet to receive formal recognition from any government.
Also Read: 67 journalists behind bars across Africa: Press freedom under siege
Although this recent exchange is unlikely to significantly alter relations between Kabul and Washington, it could pave the way for further negotiations. Two other Americans, believed to be George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi, remain in Afghanistan.
Additionally, the Taliban is seeking the release of an Afghan national still held at the U.S. Guantanamo Bay detention facility.
In a rally in Washington ahead of his inauguration, President Trump threatened to cut off humanitarian aid to Afghanistan unless the Taliban returned the military equipment taken when U.S. forces withdrew in 2021. A 2022 U.S. Department of Defense report estimated that $7 billion worth of military equipment was left behind in the country after the withdrawal.
