The last known American prisoner of war in Afghanistan has been freed in a prisoner swap with the Taliban. Bowe Bergdahl was held captive since going missing in June 2009. There have been rumors he left his base unarmed after turning against the war. He was freed over the weekend after the United States agreed to release five Taliban leaders from Guantánamo Bay in a deal brokered by Qatar. Joined by Bergdahl’s parents, President Obama announced the news at the White House.

President Obama: “Good afternoon, everybody. This morning, I called Bob and Jani Bergdahl and told them that after nearly five years in captivity, their son Bowe is coming home. We’re committed to winding down the war in Afghanistan, and we are committed to closing Gitmo. But we also made an ironclad commitment to bring our prisoners of war home. That’s who we are as Americans. It’s a profound obligation within our military, and today, at least in this instance, it’s a promise we’ve been able to keep.”