January 1, US Brings Home Detained Citizen From Afghanistan

Wyatt’s Take

• An American detained in Afghanistan is now free after long talks.
• Qatar and the US worked together to bring Amir Amiry home.
• Leaders say they won’t stop fighting for Americans wrongly held abroad.

The US secured the release of Amir Amiry, an American citizen held in Afghanistan. It took months of efforts by the US and Qatar to make this happen.

U.S. Special Envoy Adam Boehler shared,

“When we went to Kabul to pick up George Glezmann six months ago, I asked to see Amir Amiry. He was brought to the airport gate and when he saw us he started to cry. Leaving an American was the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life and I promised him that we would come back for him.”

Amiry had become a US citizen by risking his life for the country and its troops.

Boehler stated,

“Amir Amiry became a citizen by putting his life at risk fighting for our country and our troops. Today we repay the favor. God bless America and God bless the President.”

Qatari diplomats stayed in steady touch with US officials during Amiry’s detention, checking on his health. A source familiar with the case said,

“His release was facilitated by Qatari diplomats in close coordination with the team of the US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, through Qatar’s role as the United States’ protecting power in Afghanistan.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Qatar for its help and said in a statement,

“Today we welcome home Amir Amiry, an American who was wrongfully detained in Afghanistan. I want to thank Qatar for helping secure his freedom. @POTUS has made it clear we will not stop until every American unjustly detained abroad is back home.”

This comes shortly after a British couple was released by the Taliban after months being held, thanks to negotiations with Qatar and Britain. The couple lived in Afghanistan for years helping with education.

Barbie Reynolds, one of the released, said at the airport,

“God is good, as they say in Afghanistan.”

Every American win like this is a reminder that bringing our people home should always come first. America stands tall because we look out for our own, no matter where they are.

Wyatt Matters

When Americans get tangled up overseas, we want to know our country has their back. Folks here value loyalty and sticking by your own, and seeing someone returned home shows what standing strong together really means.

Read the original coverage