BREAKING: U.S. Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was released by the Taliban in exchange for 5 detainees at Guantanamo Bay – Washington Post
— PzFeed Top News (@PzFeed) May 31, 2014
Update:
President Obama’s statement:
More on the release:
Via ABC:
The only American solider held prisoner in Afghanistan has been freed from Taliban captivity in exchange for the release of five Afghan detainees from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Obama administration officials said Saturday.
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was handed over to U.S. special forces by the Taliban Saturday evening, local time, in an area of eastern Afghanistan, near the Pakistani border. Officials said the exchange was not violent and the 28-year-old Bergdahl was in good condition and able to walk.
In a statement, President Barack Obama said Bergdahl’s recovery “is a reminder of America’s unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield.”
The handover followed secret and indirect negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban, with the government of Qatar serving as the go-between. Qatar is taking custody of the five Afghan detainees that had been held at Guantanamo Bay.
Bergdahl, of Hailey, Idaho, had been held by the Taliban since June 30, 2009. He is thought to have been captured by members of the Haqqani network, which operates in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region and has been one of the deadliest threats to U.S. troops in the war.
Update:
Terrorism expert @thomasjoscelyn on the Taliban commanders exchanged for Bowe Bergdahl: They are "among the most dangerous" at Guantanamo.
— Stephen Hayes (@stephenfhayes) May 31, 2014