Discussions have been held between the governments of the two countries regarding the release of American citizens under Afghan custody. The Special Representative for Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Adam Boehler, and former Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, have met with the Taliban government’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. Following the meeting, a statement released by the Afghan Foreign Ministry said that both parties would continue further consultations in the future. The Foreign Ministry specifically mentioned that discussions would focus on citizens of both countries who are currently detained.
Mahmood Habibi, an American citizen, is one of the most notable among the American citizens reportedly under Afghan custody. However, the Taliban maintain that he is not in their custody. The U.S. State Department has stated that the lack of progress in Habibi’s release is an obstacle to working with Afghanistan in other areas. The Taliban continue to claim that they have no information about Habibi, who disappeared in Kabul three years ago. Last year, the United States proposed releasing Mohammad Rahim al-Afghani, an Afghan citizen detained at Guantanamo Bay military prison, in exchange for Habibi’s release. However, Afghanistan rejected this proposal.
The American delegation visiting Afghanistan has also met with Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs. His office stated that during the meeting, they discussed business opportunities in Afghanistan and complained about the sanctions imposed by the United States against the country. The government reportedly asked for cooperation instead of confrontation with Afghanistan and called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities in rebuilding Afghanistan, according to the office.
