Houthis Announce Unilateral Release of 153 Detainees in Yemen
تاريخ النشر: 25th, January 2025 GMT
The Houthi group in Sana'a announced the unilateral release of 153 detainees, describing them as prisoners of war aligned with the Yemeni government
.
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.
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
.
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.
المصدر: الموقع بوست
إقرأ أيضاً:
Riyadh Brings Together Yemen’s Legitimacy Factions: Impending Battle or Messages of Peace and Position Sorting?
In a notable development following a series of mixed political and military signals, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, hosted a meeting that brought together the presidency of Yemen’s Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, and the leaders of political factions and parties affiliated with it, along with the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber.
“As part of the Kingdom’s continued support for comprehensive peace efforts, national reconciliation, and the stabilization of Yemen, I met today with the leadership of the Yemeni Consultation and Reconciliation Commission, as well as the heads of political factions and parties in the commission. I stressed the importance of supporting all efforts toward security, peace, stability, and development in Yemen.”
Yemeni political figure and Commission member Abdelmalik Al-Mekhlafi echoed this sentiment, tweeting:
“Today’s meeting in Riyadh between the leadership of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission and political party leaders with Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber once again demonstrates the Kingdom’s and its leadership’s commitment to achieving reconciliation in Yemen, along with peace, stability, and development. It also reflects the strategic brotherly partnership between the Kingdom and Yemen toward achieving these noble goals.”
These statements come at a charged regional moment, with reports circulating of possible preparations for a ground operation in Yemen, while indirect talks continue between Tehran and Washington. Notably, the recent visit by Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman to Tehran, during which he met with Iran’s Supreme Leader, was anything but routine.
Within this broader regional and international context, Saudi Arabia has made two significant diplomatic moves related to the Yemen file. The first occurred in Washington, D.C., this past February, where Prince Khalid met with his American counterpart and other senior U.S. officials. That meeting reportedly focused on security coordination and regional issues, including Yemen and the Houthis. The second, more recent meeting took place in Tehran in April.
It is worth noting that Ambassador Al Jaber was present at both meetings—an indication that the Yemen issue featured prominently in discussions, both in Washington and Tehran.
These developments raise important questions: Is the Kingdom working to unify the political positions of Yemeni factions ahead of a potential escalation? Or is it seeking to reaffirm its role as a peace sponsor before the Houthis and the international community, especially amid speculation about a ground operation—one which Riyadh has officially denied any involvement in?
A critical point to observe here is the duality of messaging emerging from Riyadh. While official diplomatic rhetoric, as reflected in the ambassador’s meetings and statements, emphasizes de-escalation and support for peace efforts, Saudi media continues to broadcast messages about imminent military resolution and preparations for a decisive battle.
This contrast may be the result of a deliberate distribution of roles or it might signal hesitation regarding the final course of action. Regardless, it keeps the overall situation shrouded in ambiguity—an ambiguity that warrants careful analysis.
Given these dynamics, the question remains: Are we witnessing the dawn of a new Saudi-backed peace phase in Yemen? Or is this a last attempt to clarify positions before the eruption of a new round of conflict?
بتوجيهات محمد بن راشد.. «دبي الإنسانية» تغيث غزة بـ 56.8 طن إمدادات طبية