News - Yemen: Abdulqader Al-Murtadha, head of Yemen’s National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs, announced the conclusion of a historic and comprehensive prisoner exchange agreement aimed at resolving all outstanding humanitarian cases related to detainees. The agreement covers prisoners of war, detainees, missing persons, and remains from all parties, and will be implemented in stages under the direct guarantee and sponsorship of Oman, alongside a formal commitment by Saudi Arabia.

Speaking in a special interview with Almasirah TV on Tuesday evening, Al-Murtadha said the first phase includes the largest exchange since the start of the war, involving the release of 2,900 prisoners from both sides. This phase includes the release of 1,700 prisoners affiliated with the army and popular committees and civilian detainees, in exchange for 1,200 prisoners held by the other side, in addition to seven Saudi prisoners and 23 Sudanese prisoners. He noted that implementation would begin immediately after completing the exchange of prisoner lists, scheduled for the end of January.

Al-Murtadha confirmed that the agreement has already entered the list-exchange stage, which he described as the most difficult and sensitive phase, as it will test the credibility of all parties—particularly regarding forcibly disappeared detainees and secret detention facilities long denied by the Saudi-backed side. He stressed Sanaa’s full commitment to transparency and its refusal to conceal the existence of any detainee.

Under the agreement, joint field committees will be formed following the exchange to visit all detention centers held by various parties to ensure they are free of prisoners of war. Should any detainees be discovered later, they will be released immediately and unconditionally through the United Nations. The agreement also includes a binding provision to recover and hand over all remains from different fronts and areas, under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross, with a separate agreement to activate this mechanism expected within days.

Al-Murtadha said these measures would lead to the complete resolution of all prisoner- and missing-person cases, noting that the National Committee maintains a comprehensive, verified database containing detailed information on all prisoners, detainees, and forcibly disappeared individuals, including detention locations and capture dates.

He emphasized that the agreement covers all parties involved in the war, including Yemeni factions aligned with the coalition in Marib, the western coast, Taiz, and southern provinces. Saudi Arabia, he said, participated as a principal party, signatory, and guarantor on behalf of all those forces, including entities linked to the UAE, adding that internal political disputes within the coalition would not obstruct implementation.

The inclusion of Saudi and Sudanese prisoners, including pilots, was intended to ensure the release of all Yemeni detainees, Al-Murtadha said, adding that Sana'a is prepared to release any remaining prisoners even without reciprocal exchanges once the agreement is implemented.

The deal also includes civilian detainees, including fishermen and citizens detained on political or national grounds in Marib, Taiz, the western coast, southern provinces, and inside Saudi Arabia.

Al-Murtadha praised Oman’s central role, saying its involvement went beyond hosting talks to include direct mediation to overcome obstacles that nearly derailed negotiations. He described Muscat as a key sponsor and guarantor of full implementation, alongside Saudi Arabia’s pledge to pressure other obstructing parties.

Concluding his remarks, Al-Murtadha addressed the families of detainees, commending their patience and sacrifices, and said the issue receives daily attention from the Leader of the Revolution, Sayyed Abdulmalik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, and the political and military leadership. He expressed hope that implementation would be completed before Ramadan, providing major humanitarian relief to families and the Yemeni people.

Prisoner exchanges have been among the most sensitive humanitarian tracks in Yemen. Previous rounds, often brokered by Oman and facilitated by the UN and the ICRC, achieved partial releases but left thousands unaccounted for. The latest agreement—if fully implemented—would mark the first attempt to comprehensively resolve the issue by combining exchanges, prison inspections, the release of civilian detainees, and the recovery of remains under international oversight.