The Taliban government in Afghanistan has announced a prisoner exchange deal with the United States, facilitated by Qatar.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Afghan foreign ministry confirmed that an Afghan fighter, Khan Mohammad, had been released by the United States in exchange for unidentified American detainees.
“Khan Mohammad, who was imprisoned in America, has been released in exchange for American citizens and has returned to the country,” the ministry stated.
Khan Mohammad was reportedly serving a life sentence in California after being arrested nearly 20 years ago in Nangarhar, an eastern province in Afghanistan.
The Taliban did not disclose the number or identities of the American prisoners involved in the exchange.
The prisoner swap comes shortly after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who previously negotiated a 2020 peace deal with the Taliban during his first term. That agreement led to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and the Taliban’s return to power.
Following Trump’s re-election in November 2024, the Taliban expressed hopes for a “new chapter” in relations with the US.
The Taliban described the prisoner exchange as “a good example of resolving issues through dialogue,” and thanked Qatar for its role in facilitating the deal.
In a statement, the Taliban added, “The Islamic Emirate views positively those actions of the United States that contribute to the normalization and expansion of relations between the two countries.”
This exchange is seen as a significant step in fostering dialogue between the Taliban and the US. However, details of the agreement remain limited, raising questions about the broader implications for future relations.
