Sat Jan 25 16:16:16 UTC 2025: ## Houthis Release 153 Prisoners of War in Yemen, Raising Hopes for Peace

**Sanaa, Yemen** – The Houthi rebel group in Yemen has unilaterally released 153 prisoners of war to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), marking a significant humanitarian gesture and raising hopes for renewed peace negotiations. The release, confirmed by both the ICRC and the Houthis on Saturday, involved “conflict-related detainees” described as humanitarian cases, including the sick, wounded, and elderly. The identities of the released prisoners were not disclosed.

Christine Cipolla, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Yemen, expressed relief and joy for the families reunited, while also expressing hope for further releases. Abdul Qader al-Murtada, head of the Houthi Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, stated the release aimed to build trust and initiate a new phase of serious negotiations.

The ICRC welcomed the move as a positive step towards reviving negotiations under a pre-existing framework from the country’s protracted civil war. The conflict, between the Houthis and a Saudi Arabia-led coalition, has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and a devastating humanitarian crisis affecting more than 18 million people.

This act of goodwill comes amidst ongoing tensions. Just days prior, the Houthis arrested seven UN staff members, prompting the UN to suspend all travel to Houthi-controlled areas and demand their immediate release. This follows previous arrests of UN personnel in June and the seizure of the UN Human Rights Office in August.

The ICRC has a history of facilitating prisoner exchanges in Yemen, including a significant swap of approximately 1,000 prisoners in 2020 and another release of 800 detainees earlier this year. While this latest release offers a glimmer of hope, the ongoing arrests of UN personnel highlight the fragility of the situation and the need for continued diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace.

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