The identities of the prisoners have not been released.
The Houthis in Yemen have unilaterally released 153 prisoners of war in the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the NGO and rebel group confirmed.
“Prisoners linked to the conflict” were released in the capital Sanaa on Saturday and have been regularly visited by the ICRC as part of detention work to ensure the humane treatment of prisoners of war, the organization said.
The identities of the prisoners have not been released.
“This operation has brought much-needed relief and joy to families who have been anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones. We know that many other families are also waiting for the opportunity to be reunited. We hope that today’s release will lead to many more moments like this,” she said. Christine Cipolla, head of the ICRC delegation in Yemen.
Abdul Qader al-Murtada, head of the Houthis’ prisoner affairs committee, said in a statement carried by Houthi-affiliated media that those released were “humanitarian cases” that included the sick, wounded and elderly.
“The goal of the initiative is to build trust and establish a new phase of serious and sincere business,” Al-Murtada was quoted as saying.
The ICRC hailed the move as “another positive step towards reviving negotiations” under a framework agreed during the country’s civil war, which has raged for years between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
The war has left more than 150,000 people dead and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters that continues, with more than 18 million people across Yemen in need of aid.
Saturday’s releases come as the Houthis continue to hold staff working with the United Nations.
Seven members of the UN were arrested on Friday, according to the organization that called for their immediate release.
The UN also suspended all travel to areas held by the Houthis following the arrest until further notice.
Another 11 UN staff were arrested last June, following the seizure of the Human Rights Office in the Yemeni capital in August.
The Red Cross has previously assisted with prisoner releases, including one that saw around 1,000 prisoners exchanged in 2020. Another exchange saw around 800 detainees released in 2023, with more than 100 freed last May.
