Yemen’s Houthi rebels have released 153 prisoners of war to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in a unilateral move aimed at fostering trust and advancing peace efforts. The release took place in the capital, Sanaa, on Saturday. These detainees, including the elderly, sick, and wounded, had been visited regularly by the ICRC as part of their efforts to ensure humane treatment. The identities of the prisoners were not revealed.
ICRC’s head of delegation in Yemen, Christine Cipolla, expressed relief for the families waiting for their loved ones, emphasizing hope for more releases to follow. Abdul Qader al-Murtada, head of the Houthis’ Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, stated that the operation is part of a broader initiative to build trust and set the stage for further negotiations to end the ongoing civil war.
The move comes amid ongoing tensions, as the Houthis continue to hold several UN personnel. The UN has condemned the arrests and suspended all travel into Houthi-held areas in response.
The release is seen as a step forward in negotiations under an agreement framework forged during Yemen’s years-long civil war. The war, which has led to over 150,000 deaths and widespread humanitarian crisis, remains unresolved, with millions still requiring urgent aid.