U.S. Demands Taliban End 'Hostage-Taking Policy' After Release of Detained American

WASHINGTON — Elizabeth Steikeney, a U.S. State Department spokesperson, reiterated demands for the Taliban to end their "hostage-taking policy" and immediately release remaining detained American citizens, including Mahmoud Habibi and Paul Overby.

The call follows the recent release of Dennis Quail, a 64-year-old from Colorado who had been held for over a year. Quail joins more than 100 other Americans freed by the Taliban in the past 15 months during President Trump's second term.

Steikeney thanked the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for their assistance in securing Quail's release but emphasized that further action is required.

President Trump has stressed the need for the immediate release of detained Americans and reaffirmed U.S. commitment to ending unjust detentions abroad.

The United States lists Afghanistan — under Taliban control since 2021 — among countries that support unjust detention, a designation aimed at pressuring the Taliban.

According to CNN, Quail's release involved no formal deal but rather a humanitarian letter, pressure from the U.S. unjust detention list and involvement from Zalmay Khalilzad.

The Taliban rejected the U.S. characterization, stating that all detentions and releases comply with Afghan laws and judicial processes.