<p><a href="/en/afganistan/kabul" class="glossify-link">KABUL</a> prisoners and asked the rebel movement to release Western hostages in return.</p>
<p>In a video message on Tuesday, John Bass said the US hoped the move would result in reduction of violence and beginning of peace talks on ending the ongoing war in Afghanistan.</p>
<p> “The United States sees this courageous decision … as an example of the strength of the Islamic republic and of Afghan security forces … to respond to the Afghan people’s overwhelming desire for peace.”</p>
<p>The top US diplomat hoped the Taliban would positively respond to the important humanitarian gesture in the coming days by releasing the Afghan security forces’ prisoners and the western hostages.</p>
<p>He went on to reaffirm America’s continued strong support for Afghanistan, regardless of how the Taliban might respond.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, President Ghani said <a href="/en/haqqani-network" class="glossify-link">Haqqani Network</a> commanders Anas Haqqani, Haji Mali Khan and Hafiz Rashid would be “conditionally released in exchange for the release of American and Australian university professors who were kidnapped in 2016.</p>
<p>Ghani added that the negotiation was made in close cooperation with the U.S. in order to pave the way for face-to-face negotiations with the Taliban.</p>
<p>mud</p>
<p> </p>
