Yemen government and Houthi rebels agree on largest prisoner exchange deal

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A United Nations-backed agreement between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi group has been reached to exchange hundreds of detainees from both sides. The deal, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), will see nearly 1,728 detainees released as part of what is described as the largest prisoner exchange since the country’s civil war began in September 2014.

Under the agreement, the Houthis will release 580 prisoners, including seven Saudis and 20 Sudanese, while the government will release 1,100 Houthi prisoners. The deal follows more than three months of negotiations held in Amman, Jordan, with UN-facilitated consultations also taking place in Muscat, Oman.

The agreement includes provisions for the release of coalition forces personnel, members of the armed forces and security services, fighters from various military formations, politicians, and journalists who have been detained by the Houthis. The ICRC will assume a role as a neutral intermediary in implementing this complex humanitarian operation.

Separately, Yahya Kazman, deputy head of the government negotiating team, stated that nearly 1,728 detainees will be released as part of what he called the “largest” agreement of its kind. Abdulqader al-Mortada, an Houthi official, also confirmed the release of 580 prisoners, including seven Saudis and 20 Sudanese.

The Houthis hailed the agreement as a “historic accomplishment”, describing it as an important humanitarian step towards addressing the issue of prisoners and alleviating the suffering of their families. The ICRC welcomed the agreement, stating that it represents a crucial step forward in implementing these complex humanitarian operations.

Source: Al Jazeera