After President Trump took office in the United States, Khan Mohammad, a close associate of terrorist Osama bin Laden, was released from Guantanamo Bay. In response, the Afghan Taliban freed two American citizens from their custody, according to a report in hindi.news18.com. However, the U.S. administration has yet to make a decision regarding Pakistani citizen Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. The Afghan Taliban had detained three American citizens on charges of alleged crimes. They demanded the release of Afghan militants and Pakistani terrorist Aafia Siddiqui from US prisons in exchange for these Americans. Prolonged negotiations took place between the US and the Taliban over this matter. The former US President had initially rejected the idea of any talks with the Taliban, firmly stating that no agreements would be made with the group.
What were the Taliban’s conditions?
The Afghan Taliban government had demanded the release of an Afghan prisoner, Khan Mohammad, from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for freeing American detainees. Khan Mohammad was considered a close associate of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. The Taliban made it clear that they would not release any prisoners until Khan Mohammad was freed.
In a statement issued today, the Afghan interim government’s foreign ministry confirmed that Khan Mohammad had been released from Guantanamo Bay. The ministry stated that his release was the result of extensive negotiations with the United States over a prisoner exchange deal. Khan Mohammad was arrested nearly two decades ago in Nangarhar province and was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a California prison.
Trump reverses Biden’s decision
After the release of Khan Mohammad, the Afghan Taliban freed two American citizens, Ryan Corbett and William McEntee, in exchange. It is believed that President Trump was in favor of ensuring the release of American citizens at any cost. In contrast, President Biden had refused to release terrorists under any circumstances.
However, the U.S. administration has yet to make a decision regarding Pakistani citizen and alleged terrorist Aafia Siddiqui. The Taliban has accused certain senior officials and leaders within Pakistan’s military of obstructing Aafia’s release, suggesting that they are not in favor of her freedom.
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