Rep. Lofgren Reiterates Call for the Release of American Citizen Taken Hostage by the Taliban
Following Hostage Exchange, Lofgren Urges New Administration to Bring Mahmood Habibi Home
WASHINGTON, DC – Following news of a finalized hostage deal between the U.S. government and the Taliban, U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) issued a statement urging the new Trump Administration to commit to bringing U.S. citizen Mahmood Habibi home.
“While I welcome the news that two U.S. citizens will be reuniting with their families, I am concerned that another American – Mahmood Habibi – was not included in the hostage deal and is still unlawfully being held by the Taliban. I condemn the Taliban’s actions in capturing and holding Mahmood, and I stand with his family in calling for his immediate release. I urge the Trump Administration to work to secure his release,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren.
Mahmood Habibi’s father, Ahmadullah Habibi, lives in Soledad, CA – in California’s 18th Congressional District – and attended the 2024 State of the Union address as Rep. Lofgren’s guest. In March 2024, Rep. Lofgren introduced a House Resolution demanding Mahmood Habibi’s immediate and unconditional release.
Background
Mahmood Habibi, a U.S. citizen, was arrested in Kabul, Afghanistan because the Taliban believed he was involved in the U.S. drone strike that killed Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri on July 31, 2022. Prior to his abduction, Mahmood worked for a U.S.-based telecommunications company in charge of operating Afghanistan's civilian airport infrastructure, such as radar and air traffic control. On August 10, 2022, Mahmood and 30 of his colleagues were arrested by the Taliban. All the hostages were subsequently released, except for Mahmood and one of his colleagues. According to Mahmood’s family, the Taliban continues to make unsubstantiated claims that they are not holding him, but his family believes that Mahmood is alive and remains in Taliban custody.
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