AN AMERICAN who was arrested by the Taliban has now been released – sparking fresh fears over the fate of the British couple she was being held with.
Faye Hall, who was being held alongside elderly British couple Peter Reynolds and his wife Barbie, thanked President Donald Trump after her release.
Ms Hall was arrested together with the British couple in February.
A source with knowledge of the release said the American woman was freed on Thursday following a court order.
The daughter of the Brit couple revealed that Ms Hall was “forcibly removed” from her mum Barbie before she was released.
After undergoing various medical examinations, she was found to be in good health and received at the Qatari embassy in Kabul, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The American citizen heaped praises for president Donald Trump after her release.
Ms Hall said in a video posted by Trump on Truth Social: “I’ve never been so proud to be an American citizen. Thank you, Mr President.”
The president responded by thanking Ms Hall for her message, writing: “So honored with your words!”
However, it remains unclear if Barbie and Peter will be released and when, sparking fears over their fate.
Previously, the Taliban bizarrely claimed the arrest of a British couple in Afghanistan was due to a “misunderstanding.”
The group previously said they were aiming to release the Brits “as soon as possible”.
Abdul Mateen Qani, a Taliban official, informed the BBC that they are considering various factors and will work towards releasing her promptly after assessing the situation.
The pair’s four children said their parents ran training schools in Afghanistan for 18 years, despite the rise of the Taliban in 2021.
One of their children, Sarah Entwistle, told The Telegraph: “Barbie and Faye were summoned to the gate of their compound.
“A group of guards – both male and female – arrived with handcuffs and attempted to remove Faye.
“When both women resisted, clinging to one another and to the chain-link fence, the guards resorted to violence.
“They were dragged kicking and screaming, with Faye ultimately being ripped from Barbie’s arms and thrown into an unmarked car.”
She urged the British consulate to do everything in its power to help.
During an interview with Times Radio, she mentioned that her parents have consistently tried to show respect to the Taliban, and they hope to provide the Taliban with a chance to clarify the reasons behind her detention.
“However, after more than three weeks of silence, we can no longer wait.”
But the Reynolds – who are also Afghan citizens – allegedly texted their children following their arrests, saying they did not want Western authorities to get involved.
The couple run Afghanistan-based Rebuild, an organisation that provides education and training programs for businesses, government agencies, educational organizations and nongovernmental groups.
Barbie had even become the first woman to be recognised with a certificate of appreciation from the Taliban regime.
Their daughter Sarah added: “They were just trying to help the country they loved.
“The idea they are being held because they were teaching mothers with children is outrageous.”
Peter and Barbie’s children have sent a letter to the Taliban begging the terror group to let their parents go.
The letter read: “Our parents have consistently expressed their commitment to Afghanistan, stating that they would rather sacrifice their lives than become part of ransom negotiations or be traded.
“We trust that this is not your intention, as we are instructed to respect their wishes to remain with you.”
