US Citizen Faye Hall Released by Taliban After Two-Month Detention

Faye Hall's release follows two months of detention alongside British nationals Barbie and Peter Reynolds, who continue to be held captive. The couple has long been involved in educational initiatives for women in Afghanistan, choosing to stay in the country after the Taliban regained power.

The Taliban government has released Faye Hall, a U.S. citizen who had been detained for two months. Former U.S. envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, confirmed on social media that she is now in the care of Qatari officials and "will soon be heading home." Hall was arrested in February while traveling with a British couple, Barbie and Peter Reynolds, who have devoted their lives to running educational programs for women and girls in Afghanistan.

The couple, both in their seventies, along with their Afghan interpreter, were held under undisclosed circumstances. The Reynolds have a long history in the region, having married in Kabul in 1970 and opting to remain in Afghanistan as many foreign nationals fled the country following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Their decision to stay was guided by a commitment to assist Afghans, especially in times of crisis.

Zalmay Khalilzad expressed gratitude towards Qatar, which has acted as a crucial mediator in communicating between the U.S. and the Taliban. Hall's release marks the fourth U.S. citizen to be freed by the Taliban under similar negotiations this year; another American, George Glezmann, was released just days prior on what officials deemed "humanitarian grounds."

A direct visit by U.S. officials to Kabul recently marked the highest-level talks between the two countries since former President Trump’s administration, although future policies concerning Afghanistan remain uncertain under President Biden. Trump has previously criticized the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, which saw the losing end of a 20-year conflict, and has shifted blame for the fallout onto his successor.

Meanwhile, the Reynolds, facing dire circumstances, continue to be detained. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, has publicly urged the Taliban to release her parents, emphasizing her father's severe health issues amid their captivity. She recounted her parents' meticulous adherence to Taliban regulations, even as rules frequently changed during their work. Her desperate plea reflects a broader concern for the welfare of those still vulnerable under Taliban rule, highlighting the ongoing consequences of the U.S. withdrawal and the precarious situation in Afghanistan.