MUSCAT: Yemen’s Houthi movement and the country’s internationally recognised government have reached an agreement to exchange nearly 3,000 detainees, including seven Saudi nationals, following extended negotiations mediated in Oman, officials said on Tuesday.
The agreement was finalised after almost two weeks of talks in Muscat, which has played a key mediating role in Yemen’s long-running conflict. According to Majed Fadhail, a member of the government delegation, both sides agreed on a fresh prisoner swap that will lead to the release of thousands of individuals held during the war.
Houthi official Abdulqader al-Mortada said the deal involves the release of 1,700 Houthi prisoners in exchange for 1,200 detainees held by the other side, among them seven Saudis and 23 Sudanese nationals. Government officials confirmed that two of the Saudi prisoners are air force pilots.
United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg welcomed the agreement, calling it a constructive step toward reducing the suffering of detainees and their families. He stressed that successful implementation would require continued cooperation, regional support and sustained efforts to build momentum for further humanitarian measures.
