The Taliban released a video Wednesday showing an American and an Australian who were kidnapped in August, the first time they have been seen since their abduction.
The two men, an American identified as Kevin King and an Australian identified as Timothy Weekes, were abducted outside the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, where they worked as teachers.
U.S. officials said in September that American forces had launched a rescue mission, but the captives weren’t at the raided location.
In the video, sent to media by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, the pair appears pale and unshaven. They say they are speaking on Jan. 1. In the video, apparently delivering a message on behalf of the kidnappers, they ask U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to offer a prisoner exchange to secure their freedom.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said U.S. authorities were studying the video and could not confirm its authenticity. He declined to comment on the case, citing privacy considerations, but he added: “Taking and holding civilian hostages is reprehensible and we condemn such actions in the strongest terms.”
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a statement saying the “Australian government has been working closely with other governments to secure the release of an Australian man kidnapped in Afghanistan in August 2016.” Citing a request for privacy from the man’s family, and “in the interests of his own safety and well-being,” Australian officials would not comment further, it said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
President elect Trump will not negotiate with the Taliban, these dolts are asking for the wrong man to negotiate with them. As to the two people taken hostage, these people knew the danger of being in a hostile country when they decided to go to the country for whatever purpose they are there for. If the Aussies are foolish enough to negotiate with the Taliban and I do not think they are foolish enough to do so, and if so that is their business, however President Elect Trump most assuredly will not. The Taliban might want to rethink the idea of taking Americans hostage considering the new Secretary of Defense General James Mattis is about to move into that office and he would have no trouble swatting the Taliban like a fly.
NO NEGOTIATIONS WITH MURDERS. SORRY FOR THE TEACHERS. THEY SHOULD OF CARRIED GUNS ON THEM. TOO BAD.
The news does not say what they had been teaching and I am sure it was not American History. We have enough radical Professors in our Country now . I would tell them ” Thank – you for keeping them on a permanent status”. It is a well known fact that our style of life is being mocked and to trouble ourselves with individuals who feel they can do so much good in Afghanistan type of University then let them teach those people.
Why were these men teaching there, when we need good teachers right here in this country? You teach there, you take your chances. Shit happens, gentlemen. We don’t negotiate with terrorists, under any circumstances…period!
It will be interesting to see how President Trump handles this. He may contact the Taliban, demand release of the captives and promise to destroy them if they don’t comply.
These men were captured in a country that isn’t safe. Western civilians should not be in Afghanistan or Iraq. They are not equipped to protect themselves in a war zone. When a civilian knowingly goes into hostile territory they take their life in their own hands.
I say plant a transmitter in the trade prisoner and after getting our people back blow them all to, well you know where. Might not be a bad idea to do the same with all the gitmos. Send them back so they can join their compadres and send all of them to their 70 Virginians as well.
they ..the muslims consider being killed by a women is bad news they dont go to heaven …no virgin brides …so let our armed forces women take care of all muslim war prisoners one bullet at a time …pay back for the rapes of all christian ladies
Good idea
The main problem is for 8 years Obama has been letting war combatants go free from gitmo, helping Iran out with a lot of $$$. Helping out his Muslim friends. Not sure if we can ever put the genie back in the bottle.
If you are in Afghanistan and are NOT carrying, YOU BE A DUMB ASS!!! Teacher or no teacher. The place is loaded with bad guys and you think it’s OK to be there with out your shooting iron? Enjoy your stay.
I concur with the em plantation of explosive devices in prisoner exchanges. Kind of like walking dead drones!
You are right, Americans not suppose to be in such countries, buy we have one, who was captured by terrorists. He came with peaceful mission to Afghanistan, he is one of us, he has to be freed. All of you know how state Israel defends their citizens, they exchanged hundreds terrorists for one Israeli citizen. We have to do everything to return Kervin home.
No…we don’t!
We can send them Bo Bergdahl in exchange.