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Biden Reaffirms Commitment to Families of Americans Detained in Afghanistan

President Biden spoke on Sunday with the families of three Americans detained in Afghanistan by the IEA since 2022. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to securing the release of Americans wrongfully held overseas, the White House said.

The Biden administration has been negotiating with the IEA about a potential prisoner exchange. The goal is to secure the release of Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann, and Mahmood Habibi. This information comes from officials familiar with the discussions. The proposal reportedly involves trading the three Americans for Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani, a high-profile detainee held at Guantánamo Bay.

Efforts to secure their freedom are ongoing, a source with knowledge of the matter said on Sunday as quoted by Reuters. Corbett and Habibi were detained in separate incidents in August 2022, a year after the IEA regained control of Kabul during the U.S. military withdrawal. Glezmann, detained later that year while traveling as a tourist, remains in custody.

Ahmad Habibi, the brother of Mahmood Habibi, participated in Sunday’s call with the president and expressed gratitude for Biden’s personal assurances.

“President Biden was very clear in telling us that he would not trade Rahim if the Taliban do not release my brother,” Ahmad Habibi said. “He assured us he would not leave him behind. My family is very grateful for his support.”

The IEA, which has denied holding Mahmood Habibi, has countered the U.S. proposal, reportedly offering to exchange Corbett and Glezmann for Rahim and two additional detainees.

In a related development, the Biden administration continues to engage with the families of detained Americans in Afghanistan. The administration aims to secure the safe release of their loved ones. This effort persists despite the complex diplomatic challenges.

Also See: U.S. in Talks with IEA for Exchange of Detained Americans

Biden’s Efforts for Detained Americans

The White House highlighted Biden’s track record of securing the release of Americans detained abroad, noting that his administration has brought more than 75 home during his presidency. This includes individuals held in countries such as Myanmar, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela.

“President Biden and his team have worked tirelessly, often in close partnership with allies, to negotiate for the release of Americans held hostage or unjustly detained overseas, and will continue these efforts throughout the remainder of his term,” the White House said in a statement.

The Senate Intelligence Committee report describes Rahim as an “Al Qaeda facilitator.” U.S. forces apprehended him in Pakistan in 2007 and transferred him to a CIA “black site,” where they subjected him to harsh interrogation methods, including sleep deprivation. In 2008, authorities moved him to Guantánamo Bay.

Biden has also sought to reduce the population at Guantánamo Bay as part of a long-standing effort to close the detention center. Last week, his administration transferred 11 detainees to Oman, cutting the number of prisoners at the facility nearly in half.

The administration has faced pressure to balance its negotiations with the IEA against broader concerns over human rights and security. The IEA continues to enforce strict controls on Afghan society. It also harbors individuals with ties to extremist groups.

This news is sourced from [Amu] and is for informational purposes only.

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