US-Taliban Prisoner Swap Frees Two Americans After 894 Days

KABUL, Afghanistan — Two Americans detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been released in exchange for an Afghan prisoner held in the United States, marking the culmination of two years of negotiations. The deal, confirmed by both sides, involved Ryan Corbett and William Wallace McKenty, who were freed in return for Khan Mohammad, a Taliban member serving a life sentence in California on drug trafficking and terrorism charges.

The Taliban’s foreign ministry announced the agreement, describing it as the result of “long and fruitful negotiations” and a positive step toward resolving issues through dialogue. “An Afghan fighter, Khan Mohammad, imprisoned in America, has been released in exchange for American citizens and returned to the country,” the ministry said in a statement.

Ryan Corbett, a longtime resident of Afghanistan, was detained more than two years ago during a business trip. His family confirmed his release, expressing gratitude to both the Biden and Trump administrations, as well as Qatar, for its mediation efforts. “Today, 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 said.

Details about William Wallace McKenty remain scarce, with his family requesting privacy. Khan Mohammad, the released Afghan prisoner, was convicted in 2008 on charges of narcoterrorism and heroin distribution. He had sought to acquire rockets for attacks on Americans and their allies in Afghanistan and was involved in opium trafficking intended for heroin production.

The exchange occurred just before President Joe Biden left office, with Biden commuting Mohammad’s sentence. The Taliban praised the move, stating it could help normalize relations between the two countries. However, the Taliban government, which took power in 2021, remains unrecognized by any foreign government.

The Corbett family also acknowledged the ongoing plight of other Americans detained in Afghanistan, including George Glezmann and Mahmoud Habibi, whose release has been rumored. “It was our hope that Ryan, George, and Mahmoud would be returned to their families together,” the family said. “We recognize the immense privilege of our family’s reunion today and pledge to keep praying — and fighting — for George and Mahmoud’s swift release.”

The Taliban had accused the detained Americans of spying and preaching Christianity, activities prohibited under their interpretation of Islamic law. The U.S. State Department had classified Corbett as wrongfully detained, and the Biden administration had been engaged in talks with the Taliban to secure his release.

This prisoner swap highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between the U.S. and the Taliban, even as both sides seek to address humanitarian and diplomatic concerns. The release of Corbett and McKenty may pave the way for further negotiations, including the potential release of an Afghan detainee held at Guantanamo Bay.