Trump Aide Warns Taliban to Release Remaining US Citizens After McKeil's Freedom
Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to US President Donald Trump, stated that the United States will not rest until the Taliban release all American citizens it holds, following the group's freeing of detainee Dennis McKeil.
Gorka named Mahmoud Shah Habibi and Paul Orby as two US citizens still held in Taliban prisons. He said a clear warning has been issued to the Taliban in this regard.
Gorka has previously warned the Taliban to end their "satanic policy of hostage diplomacy" and release American citizens.
The Taliban Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it released McKeil, an American who had been imprisoned for a year. The ministry claimed the Taliban leader received a letter from McKeil's mother and freed him for Eid.
The Taliban has not officially reacted to Gorka's recent warnings. However, sources in Kandahar said the statements have caused serious concern in the office of Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. According to these sources, Akhundzada has held several meetings with officials and advisors in response.
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