Houthi rebels in Yemen freed 153 prisoners of war News

The identity of the prisoners has not been disclosed.

Yemen’s Houthis have unilaterally released 153 prisoners of war to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the non-governmental organization and rebel group confirmed.

The “conflict-related prisoners” were released in the capital Sanaa on Saturday and regularly visited by the ICRC as part of detention efforts to ensure the humane treatment of war-related prisoners, according to the organization.

The identity of the prisoners has not been disclosed.

“This operation has brought much-needed relief and joy to families anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones. We know that many other families are also waiting for their chance to be reunited. We hope that today’s release will lead to more moments like this,” said Christine Cipolla, head of the ICRC delegation in Yemen.

Abdul Qadir al-Murtada, the head of the Houthi Prisoners’ Committee, said in a statement to Houthi-affiliated media that those released were “humanitarian cases” including the sick, wounded and elderly.

“The goal of the initiative is to build trust and build a new phase of serious and honest business,” al-Murtada said.

The ICRC hailed the move as “another positive step towards reviving talks” within the framework agreed upon during the years-long civil war between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition.

The war has killed more than 150,000 people and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, with more than 18 million people still in need of aid in Yemen.

Saturday’s releases come as the Houthis continue to retain personnel working with the United Nations.

According to the organization, seven UN staff were arrested on Friday and asked for their immediate release.

The UN has also suspended all travel to Houthi-held areas until further notice following the arrests.

In June last year, 11 more UN staff were arrested, followed by the seizure of the Human Rights Office in the Yemeni capital in August.

The Red Cross has helped release prisoners in the past, including the exchange of nearly 1,000 prisoners in 2020. In another exchange, nearly 800 prisoners were released in 2023, with more than 100 released last May.