DUBAI: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has facilitated the transfer of 104 former detainees that Saudi Arabia unilaterally released after three days of prisoner exchanges between the Yemeni government and the Houthis.
The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen confirmed Saudi Arabia’s unilateral release of 104 Houthi prisoners, Saudi state TV has reported.
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki announced the completion of the exchanging prisoners and detainees process in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.
“This initiative comes as an extension of previous humanitarian initiatives by the Kingdom related to prisoners, and supports efforts to stabilize the truce to create an atmosphere of dialogue between Yemeni parties in a bid to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution that ends the Yemeni crisis.”
“The initiative also aims to urge parties to the conflict to support the process of exchanging prisoners and detainees as well as putting an end to this issue.”
An initial batch of 48 individuals have been flown out to Sanaa and Aden in Yemen accompanied by two ICRC staff, the humanitarian organization said.
Another chartered plane has also left Abha for Sanaa with 48 former detainees on board. A third ICRC flight, meanwhile, has departed for Aden carrying eight former detainees.
Update: the third @ICRC flight has departed from #Abha to #Aden with 8 former detainees on board. pic.twitter.com/U4QpuAKkhC
— ICRC for the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (@ICRC_kw) April 17, 2023
A three-day operation overseen by the ICRC last week returned nearly 900 prisoners, which was seen as a significant boost to efforts to promote a longer truce between the warring factions and eventually peace in the conflict-ridden country.
The prisoner exchange was widely welcomed, particularly by the Arab world, amid hopes for regional stability and security.
