A spokesperson for the Taliban government in Afghanistan announced on Wednesday that the authorities are detaining two US citizens.
Discussions have been held with the US regarding their potential exchange for Afghans held at Guantanamo Bay.
During a press conference, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated, “We are supposed to be able to free our citizens in a swap process because the American citizens are important to them, just as the Afghans are important to us.”
Talks about the prisoner exchange took place with U.S. officials during a United Nations (UN)-organized meeting in Qatar.
The international conference in Qatar, which concluded on Monday, included representatives from the United Nations, Taliban authorities, and special envoys to Afghanistan.
The spokesperson confirmed that “two American citizens are detained in Afghanistan,” and highlighted that the US holds Afghan prisoners, particularly in the Guantanamo Bay facility on Cuba’s island.
Mujahid added, “We discussed their release, and Afghanistan’s conditions must be accepted.”
This development underscores the ongoing complexities in US-Taliban relations and highlights the potential for further negotiations involving detainees. The situation remains fluid, with international attention focused on the outcome of these discussions.
The UN recently invited representatives from 30 countries and international organizations to attend the third round of talks in Qatar.
The primary agenda is to engage with the de facto Afghan authorities and discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
Key issues on their agenda included economic discussions and addressed international sanctions impacting Afghanistan, as well as their governance achievements.
