INTERNATIONAL — March 24, 2026
US Official Welcomes Release of American Detainee Dennis Cole from Taliban Custody
Dennis Cole, an American detained by the Taliban for over a year, has been released following a family request and is returning to the US. A senior US counterterrorism official hailed the move and vowed continued efforts to free Mahmoud Habibi and Paul Overby.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Amu TV — corroborated by Khaama Press — 2 min read
KABUL (Afghan Verified) — Dennis Cole, an American held in Taliban detention in Afghanistan for more than a year, has been released and is on his way back to the United States.
The Taliban Foreign Ministry announced the release on X, stating it followed a letter from Cole's family, particularly his mother. The ministry said Afghanistan's Supreme Court deemed his prison term sufficient.
Sebastian Gorke, Deputy Assistant to the US President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the US National Security Council, welcomed the development on X. "We will not rest until Mahmoud Habibi and Paul Overby also return home," Gorke wrote.
Gorke said efforts continue to secure the release of Habibi and Overby, noting that US President Donald Trump has personally acted on behalf of all detained citizens and promised their families they would return home. US officials described Cole's release as the first step in bringing all detained Americans home.
Cole first traveled to Afghanistan in the early 2000s to research the country's linguistic diversity and help local communities develop resources in their own languages.
Read the original reporting at Amu TV →
Reliability assessment
Corroborated by two outlets (Amu TV, Khaama Press) citing official Taliban Foreign Ministry announcement on X and statement from named US official Sebastian Gorke.
The source language reads straight.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
That designation will not be lifted, the officials added, as there are at least two other US citizens who remain detained there: Habibi and Overby.
It was our hope that Dennis, Mahmoud Habibi, and Paul Overby would be returned together to their families, and we cannot imagine the pain that our good fortune will bring them. We recognize the immense privilege of our family's reunion today, and pledge to keep praying and fighting for all Americans held to be swiftly released." The Taliban official who spoke to CBS News on Tuesday said Rahim "should have been freed by now, but unfortunately the American side have not acted on their earlier promises and commitments yet."
Overby disappeared in eastern Afghanistan’s Khost Province in mid‑2014 while conducting research for a book. “We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans,” Rubio said.
"While this is a positive step by the Taliban, more work needs to be done. We are still seeking the immediate return of Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Dennis Cole released from Taliban detention in Afghanistan.
- Release confirmed by both US official Sebastian Gorke and Taliban Foreign Ministry via statements on X.
- US continues efforts for Mahmoud Habibi and Paul Overby.
Filed by 2 outlets
Amu TV
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Khaama Press
Framed
Framed
Filed under
International — Taliban, United States, Dennis Cole, Sebastian Gorke, Mahmoud Habibi
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