Muscat — The United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, has welcomed the agreement signed today between the Yemeni government and the Houthi militias, designated as a terrorist group, to release a new batch of prisoners and detainees. 

Grundberg described the deal as an “important and positive step” that could help alleviate the suffering of detainees and their families across Yemen.

The preliminary agreement, signed in the Omani capital Muscat under UN auspices, provides for the release of 2,900 prisoners and abductees. Among those included are Yemeni politician Mohammed Fahtan, listed under UN Security Council Resolution 2216, as well as Saudi and Sudanese prisoners. The exchange will be carried out according to a defined mechanism and timetable overseen by the United Nations.

Grundberg emphasized that reaching consensus on another phase of prisoner releases represents a significant humanitarian achievement, reinforcing confidence-building measures between the parties to the conflict. He reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting dialogue and advancing broader peace efforts aimed at ending Yemen’s protracted war.