Yemen Prisoner Swap Deal

Yemen's Houthis and its internationally recognized government have agreed to a major prisoner exchange involving nearly 3,000 individuals. The deal, brokered by Oman after two weeks of discussions in Muscat, will see 1,700 Houthi prisoners released in exchange for 1,200 government detainees, including seven Saudi Arabia nationals (two air force pilots) and 23 Sudanese. Prominent Sunni Islamist leader Mohammed Qahtan, held by the Houthis since 2015, is also expected to be released. The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, welcomed the agreement as a positive step towards easing suffering and building confidence, though he stressed the need for continued engagement for its effective implementation. The International Committee of the Red Cross also called for swift implementation and offered assistance. This exchange, if successful, would be the largest in the 11-year conflict and follows a previous swap in April 2023 after a reconciliation deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran.