Two prisoners who had been held for three years by the Taliban were freed in a prisoner swap overnight.

The two men who were released to American forces by the Taliban included an American, Kevin C. King, 63, and an Australian, Timothy J. Weeks, 50, teachers at the American University in Kabul who were abducted in 2016.

Breaking overnight: The Taliban say they have freed two hostages in southern Afghanistan, ending more than three years of captivity for the American and Australian. The release came hours after the Afghan government freed three Taliban prisoners and sent them to Qatar.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the prisoner swap deal, describing it as a “major trust-building measure” that can help in the peace process. Mujahid welcomes the release of three Taliban prisoners and said the swap was completed with the release of two professors. He says Qatar played a role in the deal.

 

 

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