Taliban free detained UNHCR staff, 2 foreign journalists

The development comes in the wake of the U.S. government taking steps to free half of the $7 billion in frozen Afghan reserves held in the United States to aid the Afghan people

The Taliban released two foreign journalists working with the U.N. refugee agency and several of the aid organization’s Afghan staff on February 11, UNHCR said, hours after news broke about their detentions in the capital, Kabul.

The announcement followed a tweet by the Taliban-appointed deputy minister of culture and information, Zabihullah Mujahid, who said they were detained because they didn't have documents that properly identified them as UNHCR. Mujahid said they were freed after their identities were confirmed.

“We are relieved to confirm the release in Kabul of the two journalists on assignment with UNHCR, and the Afghan nationals working with them,” the Geneva-based organization said in a brief two-sentence statement. “We are grateful to all who expressed concern and offered help. We remain committed to the people of Afghanistan.”