Taliban Frees US Hostage Held Since '09

Bowe Bergdahl is finally coming home. The Taliban freed the American soldier it has held hostage for five years, and he is now in US custody, reports the AP. The Idaho native went missing on June 30, 2009, in southeast Afghanistan, and had been the only US soldier held captive in the country. The Army sergeant was released as part of a deal brokered by Qatar that also freed five detainees at the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, reports the Washington Post. US officials say the 28-year-old seems to be in good health and was able to walk, but was under the care of military doctors.

President Obama personally delivered the news to his parents and in a statement said his release "is a reminder of America’s unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield." Bergdahl, believed to have been held by the Taliban offshoot Haqqani network, was turned over to US special-ops forces at an unspecified location. The five Gitmo detainees were being transferred to Qatar and will have a one-year travel ban among other security restrictions, reports the New York Times. (More Taliban stories.)