A prisoner exchange between the United States and the Taliban of Afghanistan has resulted in the release of two American citizens in return for a Taliban figure who was serving a life sentence in California for drug trafficking and terrorism offenses. The Taliban hailed the exchange as a move towards the “normalization” of relations with the US, although this remains unlikely as most nations still do not recognize their authority, and two other Americans are believed to be in Taliban custody.
The Taliban’s foreign ministry in Kabul confirmed the exchange, stating that two US citizens were swapped for Khan Mohammed, who received two life sentences in 2008. The family of Ryan Corbett, one of the Americans released, announced his return in a statement. Corbett, who had been living in Afghanistan with his family during the 2021 fall of the US-backed government, was detained by the Taliban in August 2022 while on a business trip.
“Our hearts are filled with overwhelming gratitude and praise to God for sustaining Ryan’s life and bringing him back home after what has been the most challenging and uncertain 894 days of our lives,” the family expressed. They extended their thanks to both Donald Trump and Joe Biden, along with various government officials, for their roles in securing his release. The family also acknowledged Qatar for its crucial involvement in facilitating Corbett’s return.
Reports from both CNN and the New York Times identified the second American released as William McKenty, though further details about him or his activities in Afghanistan have not been disclosed.
Khan Mohammed, 55, was imprisoned in California following his 2008 conviction. The Bureau of Prisons indicated early Tuesday that he was no longer in their custody. Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, a deputy spokesperson for the Taliban’s foreign ministry, stated that Mohammed had returned to Afghanistan and was reunited with his family. Images released by the Taliban depicted him being welcomed in his home province of Nangarhar, adorned with colorful garlands.
Mohammed expressed joy at reuniting with his family and returning to his homeland, stating, “The greatest joy is to come and join your Muslim brothers.” He had been captured on the battlefield in Nangarhar before being taken to the US. A federal jury found him guilty of facilitating the trafficking of heroin and opium destined for the United States, thereby supporting terrorist activities. At the time, the Justice Department labeled him as “a violent jihadist and narcotics trafficker” who aimed to harm US soldiers in Afghanistan using rockets. He was the first individual convicted under US narco-terrorism laws.
Ahmed Rashid, an author known for his works on Afghanistan and the Taliban, characterized Mohammed as the “biggest drug smuggler the US had to deal with and a key funder of the Taliban.” Prior to Biden’s departure from office, his administration had been exploring options for a formal agreement.
