The Taliban government in Afghanistan has officially acknowledged detaining "a number of foreign citizens, including two Americans," citing alleged violations of Afghan laws. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's chief spokesperson, informed the state-run Afghan radio of the detentions, indicating that they had informed the United States about the situation. However, Mujahid did not provide further details regarding the detainees' identities or the reasons for their arrest.
Relatives and U.S. officials have identified one of the detained Americans as Ryan Corbett, while the second individual's identity remains undisclosed. Corbett was taken into custody in August 2022, a year after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S.-led Western troops.
Corbett's family has been actively urging the Biden administration to intensify efforts to secure his release. According to reports, Corbett recently had a distressing conversation with his wife, Anna, expressing a decline in his mental health after nearly 600 days in detention. Anna highlighted concerns about both Ryan's physical and mental well-being, particularly the impact on their children.
The U.S. State Department has expressed its commitment to securing the release of all American citizens wrongfully detained abroad, including Corbett. Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, emphasized the ongoing efforts to engage with Taliban representatives to facilitate the immediate and unconditional release of American detainees. Miller also acknowledged the anguish faced by the families of the detainees and reiterated the U.S. government's determination to address the issue.
Corbett, who had previously lived in Afghanistan and worked on humanitarian projects, returned to the country twice in 2022 before being detained by the Taliban during his second trip. Despite not being charged with any crimes, he remains in custody.
U.S. Representative Michael McCaul criticized the Biden administration for what he perceives as insufficient action to secure Corbett's release, particularly considering reports of his deteriorating health and the conditions of his detention. The detention of American citizens in Afghanistan poses a significant challenge to diplomatic relations between the United States and the Taliban, with ongoing efforts aimed at resolving the situation and ensuring the safety of the detainees.
