Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Yemen's warring parties have agreed to release 1,600 detainees following 14 weeks of United Nations-mediated negotiations, announced by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg. The agreement seeks to reunite families separated by over a decade of conflict.
The negotiations took place in Amman under UN auspices, coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which will oversee implementation. These talks occurred amid ongoing regional tensions and during the Ramadan and Eid periods.
The deal was reached through the Supervisory Committee established under the 2018 Stockholm Agreement, where parties agreed in principle to release all conflict-related detainees under an 'all-for-all' arrangement.
According to Mr. Grundberg, the next phase involves implementing the release plan with the ICRC, including joint visits to detention facilities and ensuring detainee access. The parties also committed to resuming negotiations to sustain progress.
The UN envoy highlighted that this outcome demonstrates the potential of sustained dialogue to address critical issues for Yemeni families and advance the peace process. He also renewed calls for the release of United Nations personnel and others arbitrarily detained in Yemen.
Financial and political support from international partners such as the European Union, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom was acknowledged by Mr. Grundberg, with appreciation for hosting talks in Jordan and preparatory discussions in Oman and Switzerland.