Is Yemen's Prisoner Swap Deal Nearing Implementation?
Only one week remains until the implementation date of the prisoner exchange agreement signed between the Yemeni government and the Houthi group, scheduled for this tenth of July.
However, so far, neither party has confirmed that the implementation will take place on the specified day, despite their discussions of final arrangements to complete this deal, which is considered one of the largest prisoner exchange deals in the country's history since the war began.
On May 14, the Yemeni government and the Houthi group signed an agreement for the release of about 1,700 prisoners and detainees from both sides.
The agreement was signed in the Jordanian capital, Amman, after nearly three months of consultations, and includes the Houthis' release of 7 Saudis and 20 Sudanese from the Arab Coalition forces.
Final Arrangements
In this context, Yemeni Prime Minister Shayea Al-Zandani discussed the final arrangements for implementing the agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Monday.
This occurred during his meeting in the interim capital, Aden, with the head of the ICRC mission in Yemen, Christine Cipolla, according to the official Yemeni News Agency (Saba).
During the meeting, Cipolla reviewed the ongoing final arrangements for implementing the detainee exchange agreement and the efforts the committee is making to facilitate it.
Cipolla expressed her appreciation for the existing cooperation with the government and the importance of continued joint coordination to ensure the success of humanitarian programs and enhance efforts to address humanitarian issues, foremost among them the prisoner file.
Special Government Attention to the Prisoner File
For his part, Al-Zandani stated that the government "pays special attention to the file of prisoners and abductees, considering it a humanitarian and national priority."
Al-Zandani praised the role played by the International Committee in facilitating the related humanitarian procedures and applying the necessary pressure to push the Houthis to deal seriously with this humanitarian file.
Houthis Announce Commitment to the Agreement
Similarly, the Deputy Foreign Minister in the Houthi government, Abdul-Wahid Abu Ras, discussed the latest developments related to the prisoner file with the head of the ICRC mission in Sana'a, Christine Cipolla, on Wednesday.
During the meeting, the Houthi official was briefed by the head of the mission on the latest developments and ongoing preparations for the anticipated prisoner release process.
According to the Houthi-affiliated Saba News Agency, Abu Ras affirmed Sana'a's appreciation for the role played by the ICRC mission regarding the prisoner file.
He stressed Sana'a's commitment to translating the agreement into reality and providing all necessary facilities for its success.
Source: Al-Mahriah Net + Open Sources
