- The Washington Times - Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The United States has obtained a new video of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the soldier taken captive in Afghanistan in June 2009, which shows that he is still alive.

Sgt. Bergdahl is believed to be held by the Taliban-aligned Haqqani network in neighboring Pakistan, CNN reported.

The video shows Sgt. Bergdahl making a reference to the recent death of South African leader Nelson Mandela, officials told NBC News. He is in weak health from the nearly 5 years in captivity.

Sgt. Bergdahl disappeared when he reportedly walked off from a U.S. military base in eastern Afghanistan in June 2009.

U.S. efforts to free him have so far failed.

“Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has been gone far too long, and we continue to call for and work toward his safe and immediate release,” a Pentagon spokesman told CNN, “We cannot discuss all the details of our efforts, but there should be no doubt that on a daily basis — using our military, intelligence and diplomatic tools — we work to see Sgt. Bergdahl returned home safely.”

• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.

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