US Officials Warn Taliban Over Detained American Citizens
Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to US President Donald Trump, stated on X that the United States will not tolerate the Taliban's "demonic practice of hostage diplomacy" regarding imprisoned American citizens.
Gorka said the Taliban have been warned to release these citizens and that Trump will not rest until they are freed. He named Dennis Coil, Mahmud Shah Habibi, Paul Arubi and Polinsas as US citizens taken "hostage" by the Taliban and described them as being used as "political pawns." Gorka reposted a statement from Marco Rubio saying, "Taliban, you have been warned."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that Afghanistan has been designated a "country supporting unjust detentions." Rubio said the Taliban are trying to gain political concessions using "terrorist tactics," but this will not succeed against the current US administration. He urged the Taliban to immediately release Dennis Coil, Mahmud Shah Habibi and all American citizens unjustly detained in Afghanistan.
Adam Boehler, US Representative for Hostage Affairs, warned on X that three "innocent" American citizens are being held in Afghanistan and that it is time for their release. Boehler stated that if they are not freed, Afghanistan will face serious consequences and may suffer the same fate as Venezuela or Iran.
The Taliban have not reacted to these statements by US officials.
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