Al-Qaeda Operative Freed in U.S.-Taliban Prisoner Exchange Returns to Afghanistan

RASC News Agency: The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a prisoner exchange with the United States, confirming the release of Khan Mohammad, who was incarcerated in a U.S. prison, and his subsequent return to Afghanistan. In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 21, the Taliban referred to Khan Mohammad as an “Afghan Mujahid,” a term the group frequently uses for its fighters. The ministry credited the exchange to “extensive and fruitful negotiations” between the Taliban and the U.S.
Details regarding the number of American citizens involved in the exchange or their identities were not disclosed. According to the Taliban, Khan Mohammad had been sentenced to life imprisonment by U.S. courts and was serving his sentence in California. He was reportedly apprehended nearly two decades ago in Nangarhar Province. The Taliban hailed the prisoner exchange as a constructive example of resolving disputes through dialogue and expressed appreciation to Qatar for facilitating the negotiations. The ministry stated, “The Islamic Emirate views U.S. actions that contribute to normalizing and enhancing bilateral relations as positive steps.”
U.S. officials have yet to comment on the exchange. However, The Wall Street Journal previously reported that negotiations had been underway between the U.S. and the Taliban concerning the release of a former al-Qaeda operative in exchange for three American citizens detained in Afghanistan. According to the report, these discussions began no later than July 2024. On November 14, 2024, U.S. officials informed the Taliban that they would release “Mohammad Rahim Afghani,” a senior former al-Qaeda member held at Guantanamo Bay, provided the Taliban freed three detained U.S. citizens: George Gleisman, Ryan Corbett, and Mahmoud Habibi.