DID Press: In its latest diplomatic success, Taliban has reportedly persuaded the CIA to alter its stance on Mohammad Rahim al-Afghani, one of Guantanamo Bay’s most high-profile detainees.
After months of negotiations between Taliban representatives and U.S. officials, Mohammad Rahim al-Afghani—previously designated as a “special detainee” by the CIA—is set to be released in exchange for three American prisoners.
The agreement, viewed as a result of growing diplomatic pressure and a shift in the Taliban’s approach to talks with Washington, marks a significant change in U.S. policy toward Afghanistan.
Rahim, one of the last Afghanistan nationals still held at Guantanamo, is expected to be transferred to Qatar within next month following years of discussions between the Taliban, the U.S. government, and intelligence agencies.
U.S. authorities had long maintained that Rahim’s release is “impossible,” citing his alleged links to al-Qaeda. However, the latest breakthrough suggests a reassessment of that position.
The release of Mohammad Rahim al-Afghani is being widely interpreted as a major diplomatic victory for the Taliban and a reflection of shifting U.S. priorities in the region, given Rahim’s status as one of the CIA’s most closely monitored detainees.