**The U.S. government is actively pursuing the release of American citizens held by the Taliban, with a proposed deal involving a Guantánamo prisoner at the center of discussions.**
**U.S. Seeks Negotiation for Release of American Detainees in Afghanistan**
**U.S. Seeks Negotiation for Release of American Detainees in Afghanistan**
**White House explores potential prisoner swap with Taliban amid strained relations.**
U.S. officials have made fresh attempts to negotiate the release of American detainees in Afghanistan, as revealed by sources close to the discussions over the weekend. In the latest developments, the White House is reportedly considering a deal that could see Muhammad Rahim—a Guantánamo Bay detainee since 2008—traded for the release of Americans currently held by the Taliban.
While U.S. representatives have refrained from publicly commenting on the negotiations, discussions hint at a possible resolution to the plight of two Americans known to be detained in Afghanistan. The Taliban have confirmed their custody of George Glezmann, a former airline mechanic captured during his travels through Afghanistan in December 2022, and Ryan Corbett, who was taken while on business in August 2022. However, the Taliban have not clarified the status of a third American, Mahmood Habibi, who remains a point of interest for U.S. officials.
Habibi, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was reportedly apprehended shortly after a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan in 2022 that resulted in the death of Ayman al-Zawahri, the leader of Al Qaeda. His family claims he was arrested with a group of colleagues from Asia Consultancy Group, a company suspected of being linked to the strike. The circumstances of Habibi’s capture or his current condition have not been disclosed by the U.S. government.
The proposed prisoner exchange raises questions about the status and role of Rahim, who the U.S. has accused of being a senior aide to Al Qaeda. However, some reports suggest his actual involvement may have been limited to acting as a courier or translator, prompting debates about the risks posed by his potential release.
As discussions continue, the situation remains fluid, with both sides expressing cautious optimism as they navigate this complicated negotiation landscape, hoping to find a favorable outcome for all parties involved.
