Biden spoke with families of Americans detained in Afghanistan

13/1/2025 6:29

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke on Sunday with the families of three Americans detained in Afghanistan by its Taliban rulers since 2022, and emphasized his commitment to bringing home Americans wrongfully held overseas, the White House said.



Biden's administration has been negotiating with the Taliban since at least July about a U.S. proposal to release the three Americans - Ryan Corbett, George Glezmann and Mahmood Habibi - in exchange for Muhammad Rahim al-Afghani, a high-profile prisoner held in Guantanamo Bay, Reuters reported last week,

citing a source familiar with the discussions.



Efforts to secure the release of the Americans continue, a second source familiar with the initiative said on Sunday.



Corbett and Habibi were detained in separate incidents in August 2022 a year after the Taliban seized Kabul amid the chaotic U.S. troop withdrawal. Glezmann was detained later in 2022 while visiting as a tourist.



Ahmad Habibi, Mahmood Habibi's brother, who was on the call on Sunday, welcomed the discussion with Biden.