American citizen Faye Hall, who was detained in Afghanistan’s last month by the Taliban administration, has been released. Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, confirmed the development on Saturday.
“American citizen Faye Hall, just released by the Taliban, is now in the care of our friends, the Qataris in Kabul, and will soon be on her way home,” Khalilzad posted on X.
Qatar Facilitates Hall’s Release
A source familiar with the situation revealed that Hall had been detained since February and was freed on Thursday following a court order. Qatar, which serves as the United States’ protecting power in Afghanistan, provided logistical support for her release.
Hall was taken to the Qatari embassy in Kabul, where she underwent medical checks and was confirmed to be in good health. Arrangements are currently being made for her return to the U.S.
British Couple Still in Taliban Custody
Hall was arrested alongside a British couple, Barbie and Peter Reynolds, who have been running school projects in Afghanistan for 18 years. British media reports indicate that despite the Taliban takeover, the couple chose to stay and continue their work.
While Khalilzad confirmed Hall’s release, he did not mention the couple, whose family has been pleading for their freedom, citing concerns over their health. There has been no immediate comment from the U.S. State Department regarding Hall’s release or the status of the British nationals.
