News- Yemen: The Head of the Prisoners’ Affairs Committee, Abdulqader Al-Murtadha, revealed that the United Nations canceled a round of negotiations on the prisoner exchange file, scheduled for April.

In a post on his X account, Al-Murtadha attributed the cancellation to the Islah Party’s refusal to participate, noting that their decision was driven by hopes for an “American military resolution” in their favor.

Al-Murtadha explained that the United Nations was forced to cancel the negotiations—focused on the humanitarian prisoner issue of great importance to all parties—due to the lack of full participation caused by the Islah Party's absence.

Commenting on the reasons behind their refusal, Al-Murtadha stated that the Islah Party justified their withdrawal by expecting an imminent "American military solution" that would shift the balance in their favor.

He added that "after their illusions of an American military intervention dissipated," the party now hopes negotiations on prisoners will resume. He reiterated his call to advance this humanitarian issue, keeping it away from political and military calculations, given its profound impact on thousands of prisoners and their families on both sides.

The Yemeni prisoner exchange negotiations have been a key humanitarian and political issue throughout the years of aggression on Yemen. These negotiations, typically mediated by the United Nations, aim to secure the release of thousands of prisoners held by the Saudi-backed coalition forces, including the Islah Party.

The Islah Party, a political faction aligned with the US-Saudi aggression, has been a major player in these negotiations. However, shifting dynamics in the region, particularly the growing influence of the Yemeni Armed Forces and their military operations against Israeli and US interests, have complicated the process. 

The refusal of the Islah Party to participate reflects a strategic miscalculation based on expectations of external military intervention—an expectation that has since proven unrealistic.

Recently, the United States agreed to halt its military aggression against Yemen after facing significant operational challenges, including escalating costs and risks of direct confrontation. This development came as Yemeni forces intensified their operations in solidarity with Gaza, targeting Israeli-linked shipping routes and infrastructure, further straining US and Israeli positions.