Taliban declare an settlement reached with U.S. envoys on a prisoner swap as they search higher ties

The Taliban mentioned Saturday they’d reached an settlement with U.S. envoys on an change of prisoners as a part of an effort to normalize relations between the US and Afghanistan.

They gave no particulars of an precise detainee swap and the White Home didn’t touch upon the assembly in Kabul or the outcomes described in a Taliban assertion.

The Taliban launched pictures from their talks, displaying their international minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, with President Trump’s particular envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, in addition to Zalmay Khalilzad, who served because the U.S. particular envoy for Afghan peace through the first Trump administration.

On the problem of prisoners, Boehler “confirmed that the 2 sides would undertake an change of detainees,” the Taliban assertion mentioned. No info was offered on how many individuals are being held in every nation, their identities or the explanations and circumstances of their imprisonment.

The assembly got here after the Taliban, in March, launched U.S. citizen George Glezmann, who was kidnapped whereas touring by means of Afghanistan as a vacationer. He was the third detainee freed by the Taliban since Mr. Trump took workplace.Shortly after, American citizen Faye Corridor was freed by the Taliban after being detained on costs of utilizing a drone with out authorization.

Whereas answering reporter’s questions in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned the U.S. envoys have been having conversations with the Taliban for a while, however did not affirm the small print of any settlement.

“[Boehler] went there to discover what’s potential,” Rubio mentioned. “Clearly, it’s going to be the president’s choice when it comes to any trades or any exchanges, however we most definitely need any People or anybody being unlawfully detained to be launched.”

The talks got here after the Taliban sharply criticized Mr. Trump’s new journey ban that bars Afghans from coming into the US.

“Complete discussions have been held on methods to develop bilateral relations between the 2 international locations, points associated to residents, and funding alternatives in Afghanistan,” the Taliban mentioned.

The assertion added that the U.S. delegation additionally expressed condolences over the devastating earthquake in japanese Afghanistan late final month, which is believed to have killed a minimum of 2,200 individuals.