American Navy veteran held two years.
President Joe Biden has called for the Taliban’s release of Mark Frerichs, a U.S. Navy veteran if the Taliban expects to be recognized as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The president stated, “Two years ago [Monday], U.S. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs was taken hostage in Afghanistan. A civil engineer, he spent a decade helping the people of Afghanistan. He has done nothing wrong. And yet for two years, the Taliban has held him captive.“
“Threatening the safety of Americans or any innocent civilians is always unacceptable, and hostage taking is an act of particular cruelty and cowardice,” he said. “The Taliban must immediately release Mark before it can expect any consideration of its aspirations for legitimacy. This is not negotiable.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed the president’s call, saying in a statement, “We call on the Taliban to release him. We will continue working to bring him home.”
Mr. Frerichs is believed to be the last American hostage held by the Taliban.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president as he seeks the release of the remaining American hostage by the Taliban.
- For the secretary of state as he works in concert with the president on foreign policy.
- For the release of veteran Mark Frerichs and for his health and wellbeing.
Sources: The Hill, Reuters
