Taliban Denies Using American Detainees as Leverage Amid US Accusations
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, has rejected claims made by American officials that the group is using detained US citizens as leverage. He stated that talks with Washington regarding the fate of the prisoners are ongoing. This response came after American diplomats accused the Taliban of exploiting detentions for political purposes.
Don Brown, the US chargé d’affaires for Afghanistan, announced on Wednesday that the Taliban have detained US citizens and are using them as bargaining chips in negotiations. He described this action as “tragic” and urged the international community to pressure the Taliban administration.
Earlier, Bonnie Brasher, the US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, stated during a Security Council meeting that the Taliban are using detainees to advance their political goals in talks with Washington and other countries, raising concerns about the legal and humanitarian conditions of the prisoners.
American officials have reported that Dennis Quill and Mahmud Shah Habibi, two US citizens, are currently held by the Taliban. The Taliban have denied detaining Habibi but have demanded the release of an Afghan Al-Qaeda member held at Guantanamo Bay in exchange for Quill’s freedom. This request underscores how detentions have become part of political calculations between the two sides.
Previously, Adam Bowler, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, traveled to Kabul to discuss the status of American prisoners. As this situation continues, families of the detainees and international organizations emphasize the need for transparency and adherence to legal principles regarding the treatment of prisoners.
