United States officials have reportedly ended the detention of three men in Afghanistan, marking the closure of a secretive chapter in the country's history. The three men, who were held without charge, were the last known detainees held by the U.S. military in Afghanistan, according to a Defense Department official. The move comes as President Joe Biden continues to withdraw U.S. troops from the country, effectively concluding two decades of military involvement.
The three detainees, Redha al-Najar, an Algerian; Amanatullah Ali, a Pakistani; and Shawali Khan, an Afghan, have been held in a facility known as the Bagram Theater Internment Facility. They were not charged with crimes, but were held under the laws of war, which allow enemy combatants to be detained without charge.
Al-Najar, arrested in 2002, is the longest-held detainee. He was initially kept in secret CIA facilities where he was subjected to abusive interrogation techniques. He was later moved to Bagram where he has remained for over a decade. Ali and Khan were captured by American forces in 2008 and alleged to be members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a group linked to Al Qaeda.
The decision to release these men is seen as a significant step in President Biden's pledge to end America's longest war. It also signals the end of a contentious chapter in US history, which saw the country hold and interrogate suspects without trial or clear evidence of guilt. This practice has been widely criticized by human rights groups who argue it is a violation of international law. It has also raised questions about the U.S. commitment to the rule of law and its moral authority on the global stage.
While the closure of this chapter may be seen as a step forward, concerns remain about the fate of the released detainees. Their release does not automatically grant them freedom, as they are transferred to the custody of their home countries where they could face further detention or legal action.
In conclusion, the release of the last known U.S. military detainees in Afghanistan signifies a noteworthy move in U.S. foreign policy. It marks the end of an era of controversial detentions without trial, but also raises questions about the future of those released. As the U.S. continues to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan, these developments will be under keen scrutiny from both domestic and international observers.