US–Kabul Talks on US Detainees Stall Amid Guantanamo Dispute, NYT Reports

Secret talks between the United States and Kabul over freeing American detainees have stalled after disputes over releasing a Guantanamo prisoner, the New York Times reported.

Negotiations between US officials and the Taliban have reached an impasse after months of quiet discussions aimed at securing the release of American detainees held in Afghanistan.

According to the New York Times, the Taliban demanded the release of Mohammad Rahim, an Afghan national held at Guantanamo Bay, as part of any future deal involving American prisoners.

Three people familiar with the talks told the newspaper that discussions were conducted discreetly over several months, reflecting cautious engagement despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.

Rahim has been held at Guantanamo since 2008 and is accused of working with al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden as a courier and translator, allegations he has never faced trial for.

The Taliban publicly raised this demand for the first time, prompting Washington to accuse the group of “hostage diplomacy” and warn against linking detainee releases to broader political concessions.

The United States has repeatedly asked the Taliban to clarify the fate of Mahmood Shah Habibi, an Afghan-American former civil aviation chief, whose detention the Taliban denies.

US officials have offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Habibi’s safe return, while the FBI says he was detained in 2022, a claim rejected by the Taliban.

The Taliban acknowledge holding two Americans, university professor George Glezmann and former serviceman Paul Overby, while denying custody of others mentioned by US authorities.

The US State Department has said Mohammad Rahim will not be included in any future prisoner exchange, despite Taliban requests and ongoing indirect contacts.

Although Washington does not recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government, US envoys have traveled to Kabul repeatedly, securing the release of several Americans through mediation.

The talks underscore the fragile balance between humanitarian negotiations and political red lines, as both sides remain locked in mistrust despite limited engagement.

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