Yemeni rebels and government forces have completed a three-day exchange of nearly 900 detainees, raising hopes for an end to the country’s long-running civil war. The exchange, which was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), involved planes carrying prisoners departing from the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and the government-controlled northern city of Marib. The deal was reached in Switzerland last month and involved the exchange of 181 government forces for 706 rebels.
Peace Talks and Ceasefire
The exchange of prisoners between Yemeni rebels and government forces is a result of ongoing peace talks aimed at ending the country’s long-running civil war. The conflict has caused a major humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people dying since the Houthis seized control of Sanaa in 2014, prompting the Saudi-led intervention the following year. The ceasefire that started in April 2022 has reduced casualties, and the prisoner exchange is seen as a positive step towards achieving a lasting peace. The exchange is the result of negotiations between the parties involved, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Signs of Progress
The exchange of prisoners is a significant development in the ongoing peace talks between the Houthis and the Saudi-led military coalition. The fact that both sides have agreed to release such a large number of detainees is a positive sign that they are committed to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict. The next round of talks is set to take place after the Eid Ul Fitr holiday, which is expected to occur on April 21. This gives both sides time to regroup and prepare for further negotiations. It is hoped that these talks will build on the progress made so far and lead to a lasting peace in Yemen.
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Ceasefire Reduces Casualties
An UN-brokered ceasefire that started in April 2022 has significantly reduced casualties. The truce expired in October, but fighting has largely remained on hold. The Marib governorate, an oil-rich region that saw some of the most intense fighting in the last two years, has been relatively calm since the ceasefire began.
Prisoners Released in Exchange
On Friday, 318 prisoners were transported on four flights between government-controlled Aden and Sanaa, reuniting detainees with their families. On Saturday, 357 detainees took flights between the Saudi city of Abha and Sanaa, with Saudis among those freed. The final flights on Sunday completed the prisoner exchange. The exchange included the release of four journalists who had been sentenced to death by the Iranian-backed Houthis, according to government negotiator Majed Fadail.
Hopes for a Lasting Peace
The release of prisoners is seen as a significant step towards achieving a lasting peace in Yemen. However, it is not known how many prisoners each side still holds. Many remain sceptical that the peace talks will lead to a resolution of the conflict, given the deep-rooted political and ideological differences between the parties involved.
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the prisoner exchange between Yemeni rebels and government forces is a significant step towards achieving a lasting peace in Yemen. The exchange of such a large number of detainees is a positive sign that both sides are committed to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.While there are still deep-rooted political and ideological differences between the parties involved, the hope is that these talks will lead to a resolution of the conflict and bring much-needed relief to the people of Yemen who have suffered for far too long.