Hana al-Sheikh, 41, a mother of four is awaiting the return of her husband Abdulaziz al-Aqili, kidnapped in the war-ravaged Yemeni capital of Sanaa in September 2015.

Her hopes to see her husband again have rekindled as the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels last Sunday agreed to enter into UN-brokered negotiations for the exchange of prisoners in the Jordanian capital of Amman.

The new round of UN-brokered negotiations has revived hope among many families awaiting the return and release of their relatives from various detention centers dotting the country, ravaged by civil war, mainly between the Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi-led Yemeni government and the Houthi armed movement.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Almatalsalam al-Hajj, chairmen of Abductees’ Mothers Association said that around 1,270 people are reportedly lodged in different prisons, the majority of them held by Houthis, who control most of the northern part of Yemen's territory.

“There are three groups in Yemen doing these illegal practices; the armed Houthi group, Aden-based UAE-backed group affiliated with Southern Transitional Council (STC), and some forces aligned with the internationally recognized government,” she said.

According to her group, 307 prisoners have died so far, 83 because of torture, 14 succumbing for want of health care, and 210 killed in prison attacks. She said that Houthis are holding 725 prisoners, including 2 women.

Out of these, 127 are reported sick. As many as 119 civilians have also disappeared from the country. The forces belonging to an internationally recognized government (IRG) are also reported to arbitrarily detaining six civilians.

“The fifth meeting of the Supervisory Committee on the Implementation of the Prisoners and Detainees Exchange Agreement has started in Amman, Jordan. The Committee resumes discussions between the parties to the conflict in Yemen to discuss the release of more detainees following the release of 1,065 detainees last October,” Yemen Martin Griffiths, the UN envoy to Yemen said in a statement.

Hoping against hope

Many women like Al-Sheikh are hoping that these negotiations will bring an end to their sufferings.

“We feel happy and hope that this is the beginning of a good thing. Even if my husband is not going to be released, I will still be happy for others because all detainees are our brothers too,” she said.

For over the past many years, whenever there is any prisoner exchange process, she knocks doors of authorities to enquire if her husband is also on the list. While every time, authorities promise to seek the release of her husband, but in the end, she does not find him among the swapped prisoners.

In December 2018, government representatives and Houthi rebel leaders held talks in Stockholm, which yielded a cease-fire agreement and the swapping of prisoners in the coastal city of Hudaydah.

The UN envoy called on the warring rivals to give priority to the release of all prisoners, sick and wounded detainees, and those arbitrarily detained.

“I also urge the parties to discuss and agree on names beyond the Amman meeting lists to fulfill their Stockholm commitment of releasing all conflict-related detainees as soon as possible,” he said.

Al-Aqili’s daughter Afnan, 9, does not remember her father's face. She only knows him from pictures because he was kidnapped when she was just two and a half years old. Since then, she is dreaming to see her father.

“For six years our pain is renewed every day. The whole family is psychologically unstable. People in our village always pray for my husband and wish to see him released soon. He was very helpful to them,” she added.

Activists blame all parties

Tawfiq al-Humeidi, head of Geneva-based SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties blamed all parties for indulging in arbitrary arrests. He, however, admitted that methods and proportions differ.

“There is no doubt that the Houthi group takes lead among the groups in this issue. In 2020, there were around 1,000 new cases of detentions. Out of the 810 were detained by Houthis, including more than 70 children, 150 were detained by STC forces, and 20 were detained by the legitimate government’s forces,” he added.

So far, there are no official details available on the number of prisoners to be released in the current deal. But Al-Humeidi claims some 301 detainees, including President Hadi's brother, General Nasser Mansour Hadi, may be released soon.

“I do not think that there will be a major achievement other than what was previously agreed upon unless the Houthis try to obstruct reaching any agreement,” he added.

Al-Hajj has urged the parties to isolate the issue of prisoners from their political battles. She said mothers of prisoners were watching these negotiations with great hope.

“We call on the UN envoy to put pressure on both parties to release abducted women immediately and unconditionally, uncover the fate of the forcibly disappeared persons and grant them their rights, and urgently release sick abductees too,” she added.

The US designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization is expected to play a pressuring role on them to be more flexible and ease the current negotiation, say many observers to the Yemeni crisis. 

UN lacks leverage

Al-Humeidi, however, fears Houthis may hinder the negotiation to support the argument of Biden’s government that their designation as a terrorist organization will impede the peace process.

“Unfortunately, the UN does not have the leverage to use that during negations. Its role is limited to facilitating negotiations only,” he added.

Al-Hajj also believed that Houthis are evasive and may use this opportunity to their advantage.

“They consider detainees as hostages, through whom they achieve their goals. I hope that I am wrong and they will be more flexible this time," she said.

To execute agreements and protect freedoms Al-Hajj has urged the UN Security Council to force both parties to stop the abduction, arbitrary arrest, and enforced disappearances. She has asked the world body to punish those who continue indulging in such crimes.