Qatar Facilitates Successful Prisoner Exchange Between US, Taliban

Qatar has announced the successful mediation of a prisoner exchange between the United States and Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban government. The diplomatic breakthrough highlights Qatar's role as a key mediator in resolving international disputes.

Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed to the Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the efforts culminated in the release of two U.S. citizens held in Afghanistan in exchange for an Afghan national detained in the United States. All individuals involved in the exchange have safely arrived in Doha, where arrangements were made for their return to their respective countries.

The Taliban welcomed the exchange, stating via the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “Following long and constructive negotiations between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the United States, Afghan Mujahid Khan Mohammed was freed and returned to the country in exchange for two U.S. citizens.”

Khan Mohammed, convicted in 2008 on terrorism and drug-related charges, had been serving a life sentence in California. He was arrested nearly two decades ago in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. His exchange was facilitated by U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, who traveled to Doha with Mohammed to finalize the deal.

The two Americans, identified as Ryan Corbett and William McEntee, were handed over to U.S. officials and began their journey home early Tuesday.

The Taliban praised Qatar for its active role in facilitating the deal and called the exchange a “positive example of resolving disputes through dialogue.” A statement from the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed optimism about future relations with the U.S., highlighting the exchange as a potential step toward normalizing ties.

Sources familiar with the negotiations revealed that the Taliban preferred to finalize the deal during Donald Trump’s administration to allow his government to claim credit for the achievement.

This successful exchange marks another milestone in Qatar’s growing reputation as a trusted mediator in global diplomacy.