Yemen war: A significant prisoner transfer offers hope

As part of increased attempts to put an end to Yemen’s destructive eight-year conflict, a significant prisoner swap between the warring parties is currently underway.

Detainees were reportedly being flown from the government-held city of Aden to the rebel-held capital of Sanaa, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross .

Over the following three days, there should be an exchange of about 900 inmates.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis have died in the conflict between rebels and forces supporting the government led by Saudi Arabia.

Approximately 80% of the population is now dependent on food aid to survive, which has led to what the UN has dubbed one of the biggest humanitarian disasters in the history of the planet.

Following discussions earlier this week in Sanaa between a Saudi delegation and Houthi rebels with the aim of reaching a fresh and potentially permanent ceasefire, the exchange, which is the largest since late 2020, is considered as a confidence-building move.

What causes the conflict in Yemen?

The country of Oman, which borders Yemen and Saudi Arabia and has long been involved in efforts to mediate a cease-fire, brokered the discussions.

Since Saudi Arabia and the Houthis resumed direct on-off discussions last year, there has been a greater push to end the war. Hopes were boosted when Saudi Arabia and its formidable adversary Iran, who is the principal supporter of the Houthis, decided last month to mend their acrimonious seven-year rift.

Despite the failure to extend a six-month ceasefire agreed by the UN in October, combat has significantly decreased, and there have been some initiatives taken to reduce tensions. They include the lifting of import restrictions and prisoner exchanges, which were reached last month during negotiations in Switzerland.

The ICRC said it will utilise its planes to fly the detainees into and out of cities in both Yemen and Saudi Arabia in a statement announcing the releases were underway.

Both sides are thought to be holding thousands of detainees.

According to the regional director of the ICRC, Fabrizio Carboni, “this act of goodwill reunites hundreds of families torn apart by conflict during the holy month of Ramadan, providing a glimmer of hope amidst great suffering.”

A conflict that worsened in 2015 after the Houthis took over huge portions of the country’s west has ravaged Yemen.

After Mr. Hadi fled to another country, an Arab alliance led by Saudi Arabia intervened to restore his government. However, a protracted military standoff ensued.

More than 23 million people, or 75 percent of the population, are said to be in need of relief as a result of the conflict, which has reportedly resulted in the deaths of more than 150,000 people.