Yemen: Government and rebels complete major prisoner exchange without a hitch

A recently released Yemeni government official disembarks from a Red Cross plane in Marib on April 16, 2023. AFP--

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The operation lasted three days. The exchange of prisoners between the various parties involved in the war in Yemen ended on Sunday, April 16. A total of 869 people were released. Despite its complexity, the operation went off without a hitch. And this operation nourishes the hope of an eventual settlement of the conflict in a country at war for nine years.

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On Sunday, five planes flew between Sanaa, the Yemeni capital in the hands of Houthi rebels since 2014, and Marib, the last stronghold of loyalist forces in the north of the country. On Saturday, flights of the International Committee of the Red Cross had connected Sanaa to Saudi Arabia while on Friday, prisoner exchanges had taken place between the capital and Aden, the large city in the south.

Each time, scenes of joy accompanied the descent of the now ex-prisoners. Hugs with their loved ones, traditional dances. "The past three days have brought joy to many families torn apart by the conflict," said an ICRC spokeswoman.

Update: Two ICRC planes carrying 57 former detainees from #Marib arrived in #Sanaa. At the same time, another plane carrying 47 former detainees arrived in #Marib from #Sanaa. Today's flights are now completed! pic.twitter.com/v44SU54RgO

— ICRC Yemen (@ICRC_ye) April 16, 2023

Among those released were combatants, civilians and high-ranking figures: the former defense minister, the brother of the former president. This was the largest prisoner exchange since October 2020. Its realization is another positive sign. Over the past year, the fighting has virtually stopped. Negotiations to launch a peace process have begun. And Saudi Arabia and Iran – which each support different sides – have revived.

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