[ad_1]
According to recent reports from ISLAMABAD (AP), the Taliban have confirmed the release of two Afghan detainees who had been imprisoned at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility for over 14 years. The detainees were held by the U.S. since the aftermath of the 2002 events and were under house arrest in Oman before their release.
Taliban interior ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani indicated that the release of Abdul Zahir Saber and Abdul Karim was successfully negotiated by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Celebrations and an official ceremony are expected in Kabul to mark their homecoming.
Saber and Karim’s detention at Guantanamo Bay lasted until 2017, after which they were moved to Oman. There, they continued to live under restrictions, including house arrest, for another seven years.
The Guantanamo Bay detention center was established in January 2002 during President George W. Bush’s administration, as a response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan. Its purpose was to detain and interrogate suspected al-Qaida and Taliban operatives. Yet over time, the facility drew international criticism due to allegations of torture and the inhumane treatment of prisoners.
Qani shared details about the Afghans’ past: Saber, from Logar province, was captured in 2002 and moved from Bagram prison to Guantanamo, while Karim, a resident of Khost province, was detained in Pakistan and later turned over to U.S. forces before arriving at Guantanamo in early 2003. Both men were transferred to Oman in 2017 and have now been freed.
[ad_2]
FAQ Section
- Where were the two Afghans detained before their release?
They were detained at Guantanamo Bay until 2017 and then under house arrest in Oman. - How long were they held in Guantanamo Bay?
Both were held in Guantanamo for approximately 14 years. - What was the Guantanamo Bay detention center established for?
It was established to detain and interrogate those linked to al-Qaida and the Taliban after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. - Why has Guantanamo Bay been controversial?
The detention center is notorious for reports of torture and the inhumane treatment of detainees. - Who secured the release of the two Afghan detainees?
Their release was secured by the efforts of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Taliban’s interior ministry.
Conclusion
The liberation of Abdul Zahir Saber and Abdul Karim from extended detention represents a significant moment for the individuals involved and reflects ongoing negotiations and changes in the geopolitical landscape post-U.S. involvement in Afghanistan. While the closure of Guantanamo Bay has been a topic of discussion for years, the facility remains a complex and contentious issue on the global stage. The release of these two men after years of imprisonment is a reminder of the enduring impact of Guantanamo on the lives of those who were detained there.
