Taliban chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed to Amu TV on Tuesday that talks with the United States on prisoner exchange are underway but have not yet reached a final agreement.
Mujahid said that discussions with the US side were ongoing and should lead to “practical results,” including the release of prisoners held by both sides.
The New York Times reported, citing three sources, that the Taliban have told US officials in secret negotiations they are prepared to release two American prisoners “as soon as possible.” The newspaper said the administration of former US President Donald Trump has insisted that any deal be conditional on the release of three US citizens, a disagreement that has stalled the talks.
Mujahid told the New York Times that the Taliban hold only two US citizens and are ready to free them, but said the fate of Mohammad Rahim, the last Afghan detainee held at the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, must be clarified as part of any agreement.
US officials have identified the two Americans held by the Taliban as Dennis Walter Cooley and Polyneices Jackson, Mujahid said.
Previously, Ahmad Habibi, the brother of Mahmood Shah Habibi, told Amu TV that the Trump administration assured his family that no deal to free Taliban prisoners would be completed unless Mahmood Shah Habibi was released — a claim the Taliban have consistently denied.
At least five US citizens have been freed from Taliban custody over the past four years, while two Taliban members have been released from US prisons in exchange, including Bashir Noorzai and Khan Mohammad.
In April last year, the Taliban freed another US citizen, George Glezmann, describing the move as a symbolic gesture of goodwill.
