Biden Discusses with Families of Americans Imprisoned in Afghanistan

On Sunday, January 13, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with the families of three American citizens imprisoned in Taliban jails in Afghanistan. The White House announced that Biden and the relatives of Ryan Corbett, George Goldsman, and Mahmoud Habibi discussed efforts made for their release. The U.S. President emphasized Washington's commitment to freeing all Americans unjustly detained or taken hostage abroad. Mahmoud Habibi, the former head of Afghanistan's aviation authority, was reportedly arrested by the Taliban in August 2022 from in front of his home in Kabul and taken to an unknown location, according to his brother. Ryan Corbett was also detained by the Taliban in August 2022 during a trip to northern Afghanistan. He managed a company in Kabul from 2017 to 2021. Shortly after the arrests of Corbett and Habibi, George Goldsman, who had entered Afghanistan for tourism, was also detained by Taliban forces. According to the White House, the Biden administration has brought home over 75 Americans detained in various countries, including Afghanistan and Iran, in the past four years. Joe Biden will speak on Tuesday about his foreign policy record. The Taliban announced efforts for a 'prisoner exchange' with the U.S. A UN reporter stated that an American citizen in Taliban custody urgently needs medical services. A plane carrying released Americans left Qatar for the U.S. Secretary of State Blinken welcomed the release of five American citizens and warned Americans: 'Do not travel to Iran for any reason.'