Sanaa, Yemen – Yemen’s Houthis released 153 prisoners on Saturday with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), according to a statement by the ICRC2. The identities of the prisoners were not disclosed, but the ICRC confirmed that they had received regular visits by the organization in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.
The Houthis’ Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs stated that the prisoners, including older people and the wounded, were released for humanitarian reasons. This marks the second such release after a similar one last year1.
There was no immediate indication that any U.N. personnel were among those freed, despite the global body reporting on Friday that seven of its personnel had been seized. Last year, 11 U.N. staff members were also seized1.
The Iran-aligned Houthis have controlled most of Yemen, including Sanaa, since seizing power in 2014 and early 2015.