Houthis Announce Unilateral Release of 153 Detainees in Yemen

The Houthi group in Sana'a announced the unilateral release of 153 detainees, describing them as prisoners of war aligned with the Yemeni government

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In a press conference held in Sana'a, the group stated that the initiative was carried out in coordination with the United Nations through its special envoy's office, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) through its office in Sana'a.

They emphasized that the move comes at a critical time amid a stalemate in implementing exchange agreements with the other side, referring to the Yemeni government.

 

The group, represented by Abdulqader Al-Murtada —recently designated on the U.S. terrorism list— announced their readiness to form a fact-finding team comprising representatives from the UN, the ICRC, local mediators, and social figures. The proposed team would have access to all detention centers under both their control and that of the opposing party to verify the conditions of prisoners and detention facilities

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Al-Murtada expressed his group's willingness to implement all previously signed agreements under UN sponsorship without preconditions. He also affirmed their openness to execute recent initiatives proposed by local mediators.

 

However, Al-Murtada refrained from revealing the identities of the released detainees, their places of detention, the duration of their captivity, or their geographical distribution across Yemen.

 

This marks the second time the Houthis have unilaterally released detainees, a move met with widespread skepticism by other Yemeni factions.

 

The release comes amid the UN's recent suspension of its operations in Houthi-controlled areas, a decision made in response to the group’s detention of additional UN-affiliated personnel.

 

Houthi prisons also reportedly hold numerous journalists and activists who have faced arbitrary detention and unfair trials. Among the most prominent detainees is journalist Mohammed Dabwan Al-Mayahi, who forcibly disappeared before being transferred to a court specializing in terrorism cases by the group.

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