Lawmakers express Taliban prisoner release concerns

A trio of lawmakers have forwarded correspondence to White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan regarding detainees reportedly released from detention facilities in Afghanistan after Taliban seizure of the country.

Reps. John Katko (R-NY), Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Mike Rogers (R-AL)
are demanding the White House provide critical information related to the thousands of detainees released from detention facilities in Afghanistan, including Pul-e-Charkhi prison in Kabul and at Bagram Air Base.

“Amidst the litany of security, humanitarian and diplomatic crises emerging from the Biden-Harris Administration’s chaotic withdrawal process in Afghanistan, we write concerning widespread media reporting that the Taliban has released thousands of prisoners from detention facilities,” the legislators wrote. “Prisoners reported to have been held in these detention facilities include thousands of Taliban fighters, senior Al-Qaeda operatives, Islamic State Afghanistan members and former Guantanamo Bay detainees — all of whom pose serious concern to the security of the United States.”

The lawmakers are seeking information regarding government efforts to lessen domestic threats.

“The rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan suggests that the region may once again return to being a terrorist safe-haven, serving to train foreign fighters while allowing terrorist groups to plot, direct and inspire attacks against the United States and the American people,” the legislators concluded.