US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement welcomed the release of American citizen Dennis Coyle from Taliban custody but said efforts are continuing to secure the return of other US nationals still detained in Afghanistan.
Rubio said Coyle is on his way home after more than a year in captivity, calling his release a positive step.
“After more than a year of captivity in Afghanistan, Dennis Coyle is on his way home,” the statement said.
He said President Trump is committed to ending “unjust detentions” overseas, adding that Dennis joins over 100 Americans who have been freed in the past 15 months under his second term in office.
He thanked the UAE for its support in securing Dennis’ release. “We also appreciate Qatar’s continued support and advocacy for Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan,” Rubio said.
Rubio called for immediate release of other Americans. “We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans,” he added.
He said “the Taliban must end their practice of hostage diplomacy.”
Coyle’s release follows growing pressure from Washington over the detention of US citizens in Afghanistan, an issue that has remained a key point of tension between the two sides.
Taliban have previously denied holding foreign nationals for political leverage, saying detainees are held under Afghanistan’s laws.
