U.S. hostage to finally come home after being held by the Taliban

American Hostage Released by Taliban After Over a Year

An academic from the U.S., Dennis Coyle, has been freed by the Taliban after being detained for more than a year. Coyle, who spent nearly two decades in Afghanistan, was captured without formal charges.

He shared the news of his release on Tuesday, expressing relief after enduring over a year of near-isolation. Coyle, aged 64, was taken from his residence in Kabul back in January 2025.

Adam Boehler, the special envoy for hostage affairs, commented on the situation, stating, “The United States welcomes the release of American citizen Dennis Coyle, who was unjustly held in Afghanistan for more than a year.”

Earlier in the month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio had emphasized that the Taliban continued to utilize terror tactics for political leverage. He made it clear that this approach would not be effective under the current U.S. administration. He urged the Taliban to release not just Coyle, but also Mahmoud Habibi and all Americans wrongfully detained in Afghanistan.

Upon Coyle’s release, Rubio remarked that it represented “a positive step toward ending hostage diplomacy.” He recounted meeting with Coyle’s family members who were advocating for his freedom. “Today, Dennis is on his way home. Thank you to the UAE and Qatar for their support,” he posted on social media.

Coyle’s family had informed media outlets that he was working legally as an academic researcher focused on Afghan language communities. Reports indicate that he was arrested on January 27, 2025, shortly after another American, Ryan Corbett, was released at the beginning of President Trump’s second term.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Coyle’s release, projecting optimism about enhancing relations between the two countries. They suggested that mutual understanding and dialogue could aid in resolving further issues.

The whereabouts of Mahmoud Habibi remain unclear, with U.S. authorities, including the House Foreign Affairs Committee, alleging that he was taken hostage by the Taliban in August 2022. A reward of up to $5 million has been offered for information regarding his location.