Taliban quietly released four local employees of the German development organization GIZ this past spring, according to recent German media reports, though news of their release is only now coming to light. The employees had been detained in November 2023, but the reasons for their arrest remain unclear.
The German government has not yet commented officially on the release, citing concerns for the safety of GIZ staff who remain in Afghanistan. GIZ had announced its decision to withdraw from Afghanistan due to escalating security risks but pledged to continue supporting the country through local organizations.
According to Deutsche Welle, three of the four released employees have since left Afghanistan. When approached for comment, a Taliban spokesperson told WELT, a German newspaper, that no further information could be provided at this time.
The release of the GIZ workers comes amid growing concerns over the Taliban’s interference in humanitarian operations. The United Nations has consistently reported disruptions to the work of aid organizations in Afghanistan, where nearly 24 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The Taliban’s actions have increasingly complicated efforts to deliver aid, raising fears of worsening conditions for millions across the country.
