Overview
- The internationally recognized government and the Houthi movement agreed in Muscat to exchange about 2,900 detainees following nearly two weeks of talks.
- Houthi negotiator Abdulqader al-Mortada said the swap covers roughly 1,700 Houthi detainees for 1,200 from the other side, including seven Saudis and 23 Sudanese.
- The United Nations welcomed the accord as a humanitarian step, and the International Committee of the Red Cross said it is prepared to manage releases, transfers and repatriations.
- Government delegate Majed Fadhail said the exchange of names would begin immediately, with lists to be finalized within one month for verification.
- If implemented, the exchange would be the largest of the 11-year war, following previous UN- and ICRC-facilitated releases in 2020 and 2023.