NNA – The Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias freed scores of prisoners Sunday on the last of a three day exchange of nearly 900 detainees.
Planes carrying detainees took off at the same time from the government-controlled northern city of Marib and the Houthi-held capital of Sanaa, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.
“The first flight from Marib and the first flight from Sanaa have left,” ICRC media adviser Jessica Moussan told AFP.
“Forty eight former detainees were on board the Marib-Sanaa flight, and 42 on the Sanaa-Marib flight.”
Three other flights during the day were to complete the deal reached in Switzerland last month to exchange 181 government forces for 706 Houthis.
Four journalists sentenced to death by the Houthis are part of the exchange, said government negotiator Majed Fadail.
On Friday, 318 prisoners were transported on four flights between government-controlled Aden and Sanaa, reuniting detainees with their families.
On Saturday, 357 detainees took flights between the Saudi city of Abha and Sanaa. Saudis and Sudanese were among the prisoners freed. — Asharq Al-Awsat