Afghanistan's ruling Taliban released another U.S. citizen from custody on Sunday after a visit by Washington's hostage envoy Adam Boehler, the U.S. government said.
Amir Amiri, who had been detained in Afghanistan since December 2024, was released through Qatari mediation and was on his way to Doha on Sunday evening (28 September), an official source told Reuters, asking not to be identified by name or nationality.
Boehler's visit came a week after U.S. President Donald Trump urged the Taliban to give back control of Bagram air base to the United States, threatening "bad things" would happen to Afghanistan if it does not.
Amiri was the fifth U.S. citizen freed by the Taliban this year thanks to Qatari mediation, along with a British couple held for eight months, the source said.
"I want to thank Qatar for helping secure his freedom," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X, confirming the release.
"POTUS (the president) has made it clear we will not stop until every American unjustly detained abroad is back home."
In a statement, the brother of still-detained Ahmad Habibi said that he has received repeated assurances from the administration that any deal with the Taliban would be an "all or nothing" agreement and Habibi would not be left behind.
"The Biden Administration did nothing for us. We have faith in President Trump," Ahmad's brother, Mahmood Habibi, said.
Afghanistan's Taliban government denies it detained Habibi, who was a former head of Afghanistan's civil aviation.
The Bagram base targeted by Trump was used by U.S. forces after the 11 September, 2001, attacks on the United States. It was among bases the Islamist Taliban movement took over after the withdrawal of American forces in 2021 and toppling of the U.S.-backed government in Kabul.
Trump's goal of re-occupying Bagram air base in Afghanistan might end up looking like a re-invasion of the country, requiring more than 10,000 troops as well as deployment of advanced air defenses, officials have told Reuters.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9th of November, covering the latest developments you need to ...
South Korean rescue teams have recovered a third body from the wreckage following the collapse of a large structure at a power station, local media re...
Real Madrid, top of LaLiga, is determined to bounce back from their midweek Champions League loss against Liverpool as they face local rivals Rayo Val...
During an inspection tour in Guangdong’s Meizhou City, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of preserving revolutionary traditions and boo...
One of Brazil’s last coal plants, located in Candiota in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, roared back to life in July 2025 after a major bus...
Real Madrid, top of LaLiga, is determined to bounce back from their midweek Champions League loss against Liverpool as they face local rivals Rayo Vallecano. Coach Xabi Alonso insists the team is focused on finishing strong before the international break.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9th of November, covering the latest developments you need to know.
South Korean rescue teams have recovered a third body from the wreckage following the collapse of a large structure at a power station, local media reported on Sunday.
During an inspection tour in Guangdong’s Meizhou City, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of preserving revolutionary traditions and boosting farmers' incomes through comprehensive rural revitalization.
Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga lead the 2026 Grammy nominations, while K-Pop enters the Song of the Year category for the first time in the award’s history.
Uzbekistan and the United States have signed strategic agreements worth more than hundred billion dollars, with agreements including relaxed visa rules for citizens of both countries.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk won shareholder approval on Thursday for the largest corporate pay package in history as investors endorsed his vision of morphing the electric vehicle (EV) maker into an artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics juggernaut.
Four people have died and three others have been injured after a helicopter crashed into a home in Dagestan, Russia on Friday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned a massive Russian attack involving 450 drones and 45 missiles, targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. He called for stronger sanctions against Russia’s energy sector to help end the war.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 9th of November, covering the latest developments you need to know.
South Korean rescue teams have recovered a third body from the wreckage following the collapse of a large structure at a power station, local media reported on Sunday.
Real Madrid, top of LaLiga, is determined to bounce back from their midweek Champions League loss against Liverpool as they face local rivals Rayo Vallecano. Coach Xabi Alonso insists the team is focused on finishing strong before the international break.
During an inspection tour in Guangdong’s Meizhou City, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of preserving revolutionary traditions and boosting farmers' incomes through comprehensive rural revitalization.
Starting this week, millions of Indians will receive one year of free access to OpenAI’s new, low-cost ChatGPT Go AI chatbot.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment