Taliban Releases American Citizen Faye Hall Following Diplomatic Negotiations
Faye Hall, along with two British citizens and an Afghan translator, freed after being held since February 2023.
In a development marking significant diplomatic efforts, the Taliban announced the release of American citizen Faye Hall on Saturday, as confirmed by former U.S. envoy to Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad.
Hall was held captive alongside two British citizens, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, both in their seventies, and an Afghan translator since February 2023. Khalilzad reported via social media that Hall is currently under the protection of Qatari officials in Kabul and is expected to return to the United States soon.
Hall and the Reynolds were reportedly traveling to the couple’s home in Bamiyan province when they were detained.
Khalilzad shared a photograph showing Hall smiling alongside representatives from Qatar prior to her departure from Afghanistan.
The release comes in the wake of Khalilzad's visit to Kabul earlier this month, where he engaged in talks with Taliban authorities along with Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs.
Following this diplomatic visit, the Taliban also facilitated the release of American citizen George Gleisman, who had been imprisoned for over two years, indicating a potential shift in the Taliban's approach to foreign hostages.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude towards Qatar for its role in securing Gleisman’s release earlier this week.
The ongoing negotiations highlight Qatar's position as a mediating force in U.S.-Taliban relations, particularly concerning hostage situations.
In a related context, it was reported two months prior that the U.S. had released an Afghan prisoner as part of an agreement that involved Afghan government officials and U.S. detainees, underscoring the complex interplay of negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban since the latter regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. The developments suggest that further U.S. citizens may be released from Taliban custody within the year.
Hall was held captive alongside two British citizens, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, both in their seventies, and an Afghan translator since February 2023. Khalilzad reported via social media that Hall is currently under the protection of Qatari officials in Kabul and is expected to return to the United States soon.
Hall and the Reynolds were reportedly traveling to the couple’s home in Bamiyan province when they were detained.
Khalilzad shared a photograph showing Hall smiling alongside representatives from Qatar prior to her departure from Afghanistan.
The release comes in the wake of Khalilzad's visit to Kabul earlier this month, where he engaged in talks with Taliban authorities along with Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs.
Following this diplomatic visit, the Taliban also facilitated the release of American citizen George Gleisman, who had been imprisoned for over two years, indicating a potential shift in the Taliban's approach to foreign hostages.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed gratitude towards Qatar for its role in securing Gleisman’s release earlier this week.
The ongoing negotiations highlight Qatar's position as a mediating force in U.S.-Taliban relations, particularly concerning hostage situations.
In a related context, it was reported two months prior that the U.S. had released an Afghan prisoner as part of an agreement that involved Afghan government officials and U.S. detainees, underscoring the complex interplay of negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban since the latter regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. The developments suggest that further U.S. citizens may be released from Taliban custody within the year.
