KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with the families of three American citizens currently held by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The White House has stated that Biden reiterated his commitment to bringing home Americans who are “wrongfully detained abroad.”
The Biden administration has been in negotiations with the Taliban since at least July last year over a U.S. proposal to release the detained Americans – Ryan Corbett, George Golzman, and Mahmoud Habibi – in exchange for Mohammad Rahim Afghani, a prominent detainee held at Guantanamo Bay.
Reuters reported last week, citing a source familiar with the talks, that efforts to secure the Americans’ release are ongoing. Another source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Sunday that discussions are continuing, but no agreement has been reached.
Corbett and Habibi were detained in separate incidents in August 2022, shortly after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. Golzman, meanwhile, was arrested later that same year while visiting Afghanistan as a tourist.
Ahmed Habibi, the brother of Mahmoud Habibi, has welcomed the ongoing discussions for his brother’s release. He noted that President Biden was very clear in assuring the family that the U.S. would not proceed with the exchange of Rahim unless the Taliban first releases his brother.
“President Biden was very clear in telling us that he would not trade Rahim if the Taliban do not let my brother go,” Ahmed Habibi said.
However, sources familiar with the talks also revealed that the Taliban have rejected the U.S. proposal and is said to have suggested swapping Corbett and Glezmann for Rahim and two other prisoners. The Taliban continue to deny that Mahmoud Habibi is being held in their custody.
A report from the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee has revealed that Mohammad Rahim, who is being held at Guantanamo Bay, was arrested in 2007 as an “al-Qaeda facilitator.” He was captured in Pakistan and transferred to U.S. custody.
Rahim was reportedly subjected to harsh interrogation techniques, including extended periods of sleep deprivation, while being held in a CIA “black site.” He was later sent to Guantanamo Bay in March 2008, where he has remained ever since.
As of now, no official deal has been confirmed, and the situation remains fluid. The Biden administration continues its diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the detained Americans, but the outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain.
If no deal is reached by January 20, the incoming Trump administration will take over the negotiations, though it’s unclear whether they would change the approach to releasing a Guantanamo detainee considered by the U.S. a security threat.
