The five Taliban terrorists sprung from Guantánamo Bay in President Obama’s controversial swap for American POW Bowe Bergdahl received a hero’s welcome as they arrived in Qatar, a video posted online Monday appeared to show.
In the silent, 30-second clip posted by an Afghanistan-based website, the terror commanders are greeted with hugs and kisses by a crowd of joyous men who embrace them as they emerge from a black SUV along a desert highway.
One ex-detainee, wearing what looks like tan prison garb and a white skullcap, seems to revel in his freedom by taking a big swig from a large glass mug.
NBC News, which first aired the video, said it could not “independently verify” the footage from the Kabul-based nunn.asia.
The five Gitmo detainees were released to Qatar after the Persian Gulf nation’s emir personally promised Obama last week that they would remain there for a year under close government supervision.
And the Taliban on Monday rejoiced over the “historic moment” created by the unprecedented prisoner exchange.
In an interview with NBC News from a secret hideout in Afghanistan, a senior Taliban commander said the deal marked the first time its “enemy” — the US — had “officially recognized our status.”
“I can’t explain how our people are happy and excited over this unbelievable achievement. Today we reached our destination,” the unidentified Islamic insurgent said.
The Taliban official said news of the detainees’ release prompted widespread rejoicing. “Once we confirmed the arrival of our five heroes back in Qatar, celebrations started everywhere in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It’s nonstop,” he said.
“The guests were first served with sweets and green tea but now there are official celebrations on behalf of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” — the name the Taliban uses for itself.
“Goats are being slaughtered and served . . . and in some places goats are being cooked in rice,” he added.
The Taliban commander also said the group’s leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, “is so happy and anxiously waiting to see his senior commanders.”
On Sunday, the exiled, one-eyed Islamic cleric issued a rare public statement hailing the prisoner swap as a “big victory” for the Taliban.
In a message posted Monday on the Taliban’s website, Omar also said: “This huge and vivid triumph requires from all mujahedeen to offer thanks to the Benevolent Creator who accepted the sincere sacrifices of our Mujahid nation and managed the release of these five renowned Mujahidin from the enemy’s clutch.”