DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – On Saturday, Yemen's Houthi rebels unilaterally released 153 war detainees, as reported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This event marks one of several recent initiatives aimed at reducing tensions following the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
Previous prisoner releases by the Houthis have often been interpreted as efforts to rejuvenate discussions aimed at ultimately resolving Yemen's protracted conflict, which ignited when the Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. However, this release follows closely after the demand for the Houthis to release seven Yemeni workers from the United Nations, which has provoked international indignation.
The ICRC indicated that the released detainees had been previously visited by Red Cross personnel in Sanaa and were provided with medical examinations and additional assistance. The Houthis hinted at their intention to carry out this release on Friday evening.
In response to the release, Christine Cipolla, head of the ICRC's delegation in Yemen, stated, "This operation has brought much-needed relief and joy to families who have been anxiously waiting for the return of their loved ones. We know that many other families are also waiting for their chance to be reunited." The ICRC expressed hope that this move would pave the way for further similar gestures.
Abdul Qader al-Murtada, head of the Houthis' Committee for Prisoners' Affairs, described the released individuals as "humanitarian cases" who included the sick, wounded, and elderly. His statements, circulated by Houthi media, emphasized that the initiative aims to foster trust and initiate a new phase of serious dialogue.
The ICRC has played a pivotal role in mediating various prisoner exchanges in the past, including a significant swap of approximately 1,000 prisoners in 2020, 800 detainees exchanged in 2023, and additional releases anticipated in 2024. Recently, the Houthis also indicated a willingness to limit their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and have released the 25-member crew of the Galaxy Leader, a vessel they seized in November 2023 amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The ongoing war in Yemen has resulted in over 150,000 fatalities, encompassing both combatants and civilians, and has created one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands more. Despite the violence, a de facto ceasefire has persisted in the Yemen conflict, involving a Saudi-led coalition since 2015, even as the Houthis intensified their attacks in response to the situation in Gaza.
The Houthis’ recent detention of seven U.N. workers raises further concerns. The rebels have a history of detaining individuals associated with the U.N. and other organizations, including former U.S. Embassy staff. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the immediate and unconditional release of these workers, emphasizing the detrimental impact of such actions on humanitarian efforts in Yemen.
As the conflict continues, the U.N. has suspended its operations in Yemen, which are critical for delivering food, medicine, and other forms of aid to the impoverished population. Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump has reinstated a terrorism designation on the Houthis, which could lead to new escalations in tensions, although the Houthis have not yet commented on these developments.
In conclusion, the latest developments concerning the Houthis and their implications for international relations in the region highlight the complexities of both the humanitarian and political landscapes in Yemen, where the ongoing war shows little sign of resolution.
