An American woman detained in Afghanistan was released by the Taliban, according to a social media post by the former US ambassadors of Afghanistan and Iraq on Saturday.
Released American citizen Fay Hall was filmed on the couch between the two men with former ambassador Zalmei Khalilzad smiling at X's social media post. Karizad said that Hall “is now taking care of our friend Katalis in Kabul, and is on his way home soon.”
He also shared that he publicly stated that President Trump's support and thanked the president for her release, saying it was Hall's video.
President Trump reposted the video on his social media site Truth Social on Saturday, adding that he was “very respected” to her words.
Hall was arrested in early February, British media reported, along with a British couple and an interpreter. According to British media, the couple, both in the '70s and Barbie Reynolds, ran education and training projects in the country for 18 years. Hall was said to be a friend of the couple.
British media said the British couple has not been released. Reynolds' daughter said she had to use her strength when Afghan security guards removed Hall from detention as they vowed that all four in the group would be released together.
The White House and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this month, US hostage envoy Adam Bohler made the first known visit by a high-ranking American diplomat to Afghan capital Kabul since 2021 that led to the announcement of George Grezman, a US citizen who was detained in Afghanistan.
A few days later, the US lifted millions of dollars in bounty with three leaders in the Hakkani Network. This is the only wing of the Taliban, classified by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization. Members of the Hakkani Network were behind some of the most deadly attacks during the US-led war in Afghanistan, but remade themselves as a more moderate voice within the Taliban.
Many Taliban officials saw Bohler's visit and prize money as a major victory for the Afghan government. The new measures will also help the interests of the Talibans who have been pushed to reduce extreme and inflexible policies to achieve more global acceptance.
In a video posted by Trump, Hall also said other women detained in Afghan prisons saw him as a “savior” and added him “they are waiting for you to come and be free.”
Trump's post didn't include any details about the release, but he thanked Hall and said she was “a very honored” in her statement.
Erica L. Green and Christina Goldbaum contributed the report.
