Negotiators from Yemen's internationally recognized government and Houthi forces have finalized a substantial prisoner exchange arrangement, marking what participants describe as the most extensive such agreement since hostilities began. The breakthrough occurred on Tuesday after discussions spanning nearly two weeks in Muscat, with Omani officials facilitating the mediation process.
Majed Fadhail, representing the government delegation, informed AFP that both parties have agreed in principle to release "thousands" of captives. He characterized this arrangement as the largest prisoner swap achieved to date, noting that compilation and exchange of detainee lists would commence immediately with completion expected within one month.
Abdulqader al-Mortada, a senior Houthi negotiator responsible for prisoner affairs, provided specific figures through a statement on social media platform X. According to his account, the agreement stipulates the release of 1,700 prisoners held by Houthi forces in exchange for 1,200 detainees under government control. Among those designated for freedom are seven Saudi citizens and 23 Sudanese nationals.
Fadhail revealed that two of the Saudi prisoners are air force pilots. He further indicated that Mohamed Qahtan, a prominent political figure aligned with the Saudi-backed government who has been detained by Houthi forces since 2015, would be included among those released.
Broader Context of Yemeni Conflict Dynamics
This prisoner agreement emerges during a period of evolving relationships within Yemen's anti-Houthi coalition. Earlier this month, separatist forces nominally operating under government authority seized control of significant territories from rival government-aligned units and their partners, raising concerns about potential fragmentation among factions opposing Houthi control.
The Yemen conflict has positioned Houthi forces, who dominate much of northern Yemen, against the internationally recognized government supported by a Saudi-led coalition. While previous prisoner exchanges have occasionally served as limited confidence-building measures, their implementation has frequently encountered delays and inconsistencies.
No specific timeline has been established for the actual release of detainees under this new arrangement. Mediators and diplomatic observers suggest that successful execution could generate positive momentum for wider de-escalation initiatives, though fundamental political and military divisions continue to persist unresolved.
