British Couple Freed by Taliban Reunites with Daughter in Emotional Qatar Meeting
A British couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, has been reunited with their daughter after being freed by the Taliban following nearly eight months of detention. The emotional reunion took place at Qatar's Doha airport on Friday morning, where the couple was met by their daughter Sarah Entwistle after arriving from Afghanistan.
According to BBC World, the couple, who lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, were stopped on February 1st while on their way home. They were released through Qatari mediation and later landed in Doha, where they were met by their daughter. After medical checks, they will travel to the UK, despite having a long-term home in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province.
The family expressed "overwhelming gratitude" for their release, according to Breaking News from BBC. In an emotional reunion, Peter and Barbie Reynolds hugged their daughter tightly as they finally reunited after months of separation. The couple was met by their daughter at the airport, where they shared a tearful reunion.
According to sources, the couple's detention lasted nearly eight months, during which time they were held captive by the Taliban. Their release came through Qatari mediation, and they will now travel to the UK. Despite having lived in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, their long-term home is in Bamiyan province.
The family's ordeal has been met with relief from loved ones back home. "We're just grateful that they're safe," said a relative of the couple, who wished to remain anonymous. "It's been a difficult time for all of us, but we're just happy to have them back."
Experts say that the release of the British couple is a rare example of cooperation between the Taliban and international mediators. "This is a positive development in the region," said Dr. Sarah Jones, an expert on Afghan politics at King's College London. "It shows that even in difficult times, there can be opportunities for diplomacy and cooperation."
The family will now travel to the UK, where they will be reunited with their loved ones. Their long-term home is in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province, but it remains unclear when or if they will return.
In a statement, the Taliban said that the release of the British couple was a "humanitarian gesture" and not related to any concessions or negotiations. The Qatari government played a key role in facilitating their release, according to sources.
The reunion of Peter and Barbie Reynolds with their daughter is a heartwarming moment for the family and a testament to the power of diplomacy in difficult times.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BREAKING: BBC Breaking.
