U.S. citizen Dennis Coyle has been released after more than a year in detention in Afghanistan, with the United Arab Emirates facilitating his transfer. U.S. officials say he is now on his way home following diplomatic efforts involving multiple countries.
The Taliban’s foreign ministry said Coyle was freed on Tuesday following meetings involving former U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, a family member and the UAE ambassador to Kabul with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to the ministry, Coyle’s family sent a letter to Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada requesting clemency. The Supreme Court later deemed his detention sufficient and approved his release.
Muttaqi said the decision followed judicial review, stating that “the Islamic Emirate does not detain foreign nationals for political purposes; individuals are held only due to legal violations and are released following due judicial procedures.”
He also thanked regional partners, saying the United Arab Emirates played a “constructive role” and acknowledged Qatar’s support in facilitating communication with the detainee’s family.
Khalilzad described the move as “commendable” and stressed the importance of continued dialogue, while UAE Ambassador Saif Al Ketbi said such humanitarian efforts “serve the interests of all parties.”
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it hosted the transfer. The ministry said it “hosted the process of the release of Dennis Coyle … and his handover to the United States”, adding the operation took place in the presence of representatives from both sides.
The ministry also said it appreciated “the confidence placed in the UAE and for selecting it as the venue for the release operation.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the development, saying: “Today, after more than a year of captivity in Afghanistan, Dennis Coyle is on his way home.”
He thanked the UAE and Qatar for their roles, but added: “While this is a positive step … more work needs to be done. We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans.”
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler said on social media that “American hostage Dennis Coyle is in the air right now, headed from Afghanistan to America … No trades. No money. Hostage diplomacy is dead.”
Khalilzad also said the release could help resolve other cases, noting that Qatar and the UAE provided logistical assistance and facilitated visits during negotiations.
Coyle, 64, had been detained in Kabul in January 2025. His release comes days after the United States formally designated Afghan authorities as being involved in the wrongful detention of U.S. nationals, citing cases including Mahmood Habibi and Paul Overby.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 5 October 2026. These are the top five elections making headlines around the world....
The United States has withdrawn all 12 of its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain, just a week after several people were arrested over an alle...
U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to lead the administration’s latest effort to shape p...
Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned, with Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), appointed as acting oil minister, according to Iranian state media.
Right-wing Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro will face leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a runoff of the presidential election later this month, after he exceeded expectations in Sunday's first-round vote with a slight lead over the incumbent.
Candidates elected to Bosnia and Herzegovina's three-member presidency declared victory after preliminary unofficial results showed Denis Becirovic leading the Bosniak seat, Darijana Filipovic ahead in the Croat seat and Zeljka Cvijanovic likely retaining the Serb seat.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets seven conditions agreed under a June memorandum, as President Donald Trump signals he may soon decide whether to resume military operations against Tehran.
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million to 19 countries but can it turn these crops into a recognisable international product?
More than 1.2 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan so far in 2026, with more than 500,000 deported, according to data from the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned, with Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), appointed as acting oil minister, according to Iranian state media.
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million to 19 countries but can it turn these crops into a recognisable international product?
The world’s space community is heading to Antalya for the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), taking place from 5 to 9 October.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will travel to Tehran on Sunday (4 October) for talks with Iranian officials, with regional cooperation and Armenia-Iran relations expected to be key topics.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment