U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated the U.S. government's commitment to ensuring the safe return of all Americans detained abroad, particularly in Afghanistan, after the release of American citizen Faye Hall from Taliban custody.
“We will not rest until all Americans detained in Afghanistan and held hostage around the world are brought home,” Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter).
This statement came just days after the Taliban released Hall, handing her over to the Qatari embassy in Kabul on March 29. Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, confirmed the release, noting that Hall is now under Qatari care in Kabul and will soon be on her way back to the United States.
The release of Hall follows a similar development earlier this year when the Taliban freed American citizen George Glezmann, who had been detained since December 2022. Glezmann's release, described as a “humanitarian” gesture, came after successful negotiations between U.S. officials and Qatari diplomats. Khalilzad confirmed Glezmann’s release and noted that he is currently en route to the U.S.
These developments reflect ongoing efforts by the U.S. to secure the release of American citizens detained in Afghanistan. Qatar’s role as a key mediator in the region has been crucial, with its diplomats facilitating the release of American detainees.
The release of both Hall and Glezmann underscores a complex diplomatic landscape that involves both humanitarian and political considerations. While these releases are a positive step, they highlight the broader challenges in U.S.-Taliban relations, particularly regarding the treatment of detainees.
Hall's release follows productive talks between U.S. envoy Adam Boehler and Afghanistan's interim Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi in March. This event coincides with Washington lifting a $10mn bounty on Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of the Taliban's Haqqani Network, and two other individuals linked to the group.
The U.S. government remains focused on securing the release of all detained citizens, with recent efforts also resulting in the release of other Americans abroad, including Marc Fogel from Russia and an unnamed U.S. citizen from Belarus.
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