DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Saudi-led military coalition on Monday started freeing 104 more prisoners captured in Yemen’s war, a unilateral release that followed an organized prisoner swap amid renewed diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said it flew 48 detainees from Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport heading to Sanaa, Yemen’s capital that has been held for years by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. More flights with prisoners were planned for later on Monday.
The prisoner releases come as the Houthis and Saudi Arabia say they have made progress in negotiations to revive an expired cease-fire and embark on talks to settle the conflict.
The Houthis say both sides will continue their talks after Eid al-Fitr, the holiday later this week that marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Political Cartoons
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
