ISLAMABAD: Adam Boehler, the U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, traveled to Kabul on Saturday for rare talks with Afghan officials about a potential prisoner swap, the Taliban and U.S. officials said.
Following his meeting with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Afghan government said, “Adam Boehler discussed the issue of detained citizens between Afghanistan and the United States, and both sides agreed to consider a prisoner exchange.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, stopped short of confirming any deal. Speaking to reporters on his way to the Middle East, Rubio said, “Our special envoy has been in discussions for some time. Ultimately, any exchange would be the president’s decision, but we want to see the release of any Americans or others unlawfully detained. Mr. Boehler’s visit was to explore what is possible.”
At least one American citizen, Mahmood Habibi, remains detained in Afghanistan. The U.S. is offering a $5 million reward for information on his whereabouts. The Taliban deny involvement in his disappearance in 2022.
Earlier this year, Boehler secured the release of airline mechanic George Glezmann, who spent over two years in Afghan custody.
On Saturday, Boehler, accompanied by former U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, also met with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat tweeted, “Both sides emphasized ongoing discussions on bilateral issues, especially regarding imprisoned citizens in both countries.”
Since the Taliban took control in August 2021, dozens of foreign nationals have been detained in Afghanistan. This week, Russia announced the release of a detained Russian ethnologist, held for nearly two months. The Russian Foreign Ministry said he was freed “at the request of the Russian side, reflecting the friendly relations” between the two nations.
Russia remains the only country to officially recognize the Taliban government.
In January, the Taliban released two Americans in exchange for Khan Mohammed, an Afghan fighter convicted of narco-terrorism in the U.S.
Despite the long history of conflict, the Taliban continue to express a desire for improved relations with the U.S. and other countries.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Muttaqi said, “We call for a return to normal relations. There are no insurmountable problems in our bilateral ties.”
Since 2021, countries including Pakistan, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran have maintained their embassies in Kabul.
