Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to Donald Trump, has claimed that the Islamic Emirate is using American detainees in its custody as a political tool.
Gorka made the remarks in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on the anniversary of the release of American citizen George Glezmann, criticizing the Islamic Emirate over the issue.
According to him, the United States will no longer tolerate what he described as a “hostage-taking policy.” He added that, as Commander-in-Chief of U.S. forces, the American president will not remain silent until all U.S. citizens held in Afghan prisons are released.
Gorka stated: “We do not tolerate hostage-taking policies, and our Commander-in-Chief will not remain silent until Dennis Kuil, Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and Paulinss Jackson are freed from Taliban detention. Kabul, you have been warned.”
A few days earlier, Adam Boehler, Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostage affairs, also called for the release of the remaining three American detainees and issued a warning on the matter.
Boehler said the current authorities should not test the patience of U.S. officials, warning that otherwise Afghanistan could face a fate similar to Iran and Venezuela.
Despite these statements, the Islamic Emirate has not recently commented on Gorka’s remarks. However, it has previously strongly rejected allegations of unlawful detentions of American citizens.
Political analyst Akhtar Mohammad Rasekh said: “If the Afghan government decides to release these detainees in order to build constructive and diplomatic relations, it would be a positive step for Afghanistan’s survival, improving diplomatic ties, and engagement with the world.”
Another political analyst, Moeen Gul Tsamakani, emphasized the sensitivity of the issue and the importance of resolving it through diplomatic channels. He stated: “If Afghan and American sides engage in dialogue and negotiations and reach a resolution, it would not only prevent conflict but also pave the way for political progress and economic growth.”
This comes as the United States Department of State on March 10 included the Islamic Emirate in its list of countries accused of supporting unlawful detentions, alleging that such actions are used to gain political concessions.
In response, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan strongly condemned the decision, calling it regrettable. While the Afghan side acknowledged that some foreign nationals have been detained for violating applicable laws, it insisted that the Islamic Emirate has never used citizens of any country as bargaining tools.
