US trades Taliban prisoner for American detainees Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty happymamay

Two Americans held by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan were exchanged for an Afghan imprisoned in the United States on drug smuggling and terrorism charges.

This news came out after the release of Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McEntee. Afghan Khan Muhammad was serving a life sentence in a federal prison in California on drug smuggling and terrorism charges.

A statement by the Taliban government in Kabul announced the agreement that was concluded shortly before the end of President Joe Biden’s term in office.

Mr Corbett’s release was confirmed by his family. American media, citing official sources, identified McKinty as the second American.

The deal – said to be the culmination of two years of negotiations – was concluded before Joe Biden handed power to Donald Trump on Monday.

The Taliban Foreign Ministry said in a statement, “The Afghan fighter Khan Muhammad, imprisoned in the United States, was released in exchange for two American citizens and returned to the country.”

Ryan Corbett’s family thanked the two administrations, as well as Qatar, for what it described as its vital role.

“Today, our hearts are full of gratitude and thanks to God for preserving Ryan’s life and bringing him home after the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives,” the family said.

Corbett lived in Afghanistan for many years with his family and was arrested by the Taliban more than two years ago when he returned on a business trip.

There are few details about Mr. McEntee, whose family has asked for privacy.

Khan Muhammad was a Taliban member who was captured in Afghanistan during the US military engagement. It was Imprisoned in 2008. Joe Biden commuted his sentence just before leaving office.

The Taliban described the exchange as the result of “long and fruitful negotiations” with the United States and “a good example of resolving issues through dialogue.”

She said, “The Islamic Emirate views positively the actions of the United States of America that help normalize and develop relations between the two countries.”

Since the Taliban took power in 2021, no government has officially recognized them.

While this move is unlikely to change relations between Kabul and Washington, more negotiations may follow. Two other Americans remain in AfghanistanThey are believed to be George Glezman and Mahmoud Habibi.

The Taliban also seeks the release of an Afghan who is one of the few remaining prisoners in the US prison camp at Guantanamo Bay.

At a rally in Washington on the eve of his inauguration, President Trump threatened to cut off humanitarian aid to Afghanistan unless the Taliban returns military equipment seized after the US withdrawal in 2021.

US A Defense Department report in 2022 estimated that $7 billion worth of military equipment was left behind In Afghanistan after the withdrawal of American forces.