Taliban Releases US Detainee Dennis Coyle In Kabul

The Taliban’s foreign ministry confirmed the release of US detainee Dennis Coyle saying the decision was approved by the group’s supreme leader.

The Taliban’s foreign ministry confirmed the release of US detainee Dennis Coyle saying the decision was approved by the group’s supreme leader.
Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said during a meeting with former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad that the detainee’s family, particularly his mother, had appealed for his release in a letter.
The Taliban said Coyle’s prison term had ended and that he is freed with the approval of the group’s supreme court.
Earlier, Afghanistan International reported that the Taliban would release a US citizen following warnings from President Donald Trump’s administration. Sources said a US delegation had travelled to Kabul to help secure the release.
The Taliban foreign ministry said Muttaqi met Khalilzad, Saif AlKetbi, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to Kabul, and a member of Coyle’s family on Tuesday.
In a statement, the ministry said Coyle was being released under a decree from Hibatullah Akhundzada for Eid al-Fitr.
Muttaqi said the decision followed a letter from the detainee’s family, especially his mother, requesting that he be pardoned and released for Eid.
Sources told Afghanistan International that the US delegation has close ties to the Taliban administration and that high-level talks are continuing.
After Coyle’s release, three other Americans will remain in Taliban custody.
The Trump administration recently warned that there would be serious consequences if all Americans were not released, saying the president would not rest until they were freed.
Muttaqi said the Taliban had not detained foreign nationals for political purposes, but that such individuals were arrested for violating the law and released after legal proceedings.
He added that both sides should ensure proper consular services for their citizens and that the Afghan government was fully prepared in that regard.
The Taliban thanked the United Arab Emirates and its president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for what it described as a constructive role in facilitating the release, calling the UAE a close friend of Afghanistan.
Muttaqi also expressed appreciation for Qatar’s role in facilitating communication between the Taliban and the detainee’s family.
According to the Taliban, Khalilzad welcomed the release of the US citizen and stressed the importance of continued dialogue between the two sides, expressing hope for further progress.
The UAE ambassador also reaffirmed his country’s readiness to support humanitarian efforts and said such developments were beneficial to all parties.