Yemen’s Houthis release 153 prisoners with Red Cross support

The identities of the prisoners were not disclosed, but the ICRC said they had received regular visits by the organisation in Yemen's capital Sanaa.

By: Reuters

Updated: January 25, 2025 11:58 PM IST

1 min read

A Houthi soldier escorts released prisoners loyal to the Yemeni government after their release, in Sanaa, Yemen, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Osamah Abdulrahman)

Yemen’s Houthis released 153 prisoners on Saturday with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the ICRC said in a statement.

The identities of the prisoners were not disclosed, but the ICRC said they had received regular visits by the organisation in Yemen’s capital Sanaa.

They included older people and the wounded and were released for humanitarian reasons, the Houthis’ Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs said in a press conference.

It marked the second such release after one last year.

There was no immediate indication that any UN personnel were freed, after the global body said on Friday that seven of its personnel had been seized. Last year, 11 UN staff members were seized.

The Iran-aligned Houthis have controlled most of Yemen, including Sanaa, since seizing power in 2014 and early 2015.

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