US Condemns Afghan Taliban Prisoner Release

The United States denounced the release of 65 Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan, despite protests from the U.S. military.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered their release several weeks ago, after his government took over the prison from American troops.

The prisoner release reflects Karzai's increasingly hostile tone toward the United States ahead of the withdrawal of NATO combat troops later this year.

U.S. forces in Afghanistan said some of the prisoners were responsible for killing or wounding dozens of U.S. and Afghan soldiers.

Some have also been accused of making bombs that killed civilians.

Officials said in all probability, the men will kill more coalition and Afghan forces in future battles.