Prisoner exchange between the US and Afghanistan

The Taliban announced that Khan Muhammad, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province 20 years ago and is serving a life sentence in California, has been released in exchange for American hostages. The movement thanked Qatar for helping secure his release.

The Taliban has announced the release of Afghan citizens in a prisoner exchange with the United States, Al Jazeera reported.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry did not specify the number of Americans released or their names. It is known that they were exchanged for Khan Mohammad, who was kidnapped by the Americans in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, 20 years ago and is serving a life sentence in California.

"After long and fruitful negotiations between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the United States of America, an agreement was reached to release Afghan mujahideen Khan Muhammad from American prison in exchange for American citizens," the Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan views this exchange as a good example of resolving controversial issues through dialogue and expresses its gratitude to the brotherly people of Qatar for their support in the negotiations," the report said.