Barran Press
The UN-brokered talks in Muscat, Oman, between the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels have reached a breakthrough, with both sides agreeing on a prisoner exchange that includes the release of prominent politician Mohammed Qahtan.
The UN Special Envoy for Yemen announced on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, that the two sides had reached an understanding on procedures for releasing detainees, including Qahtan, a leading figure in the Islah Party.
"The ongoing round of negotiations in Oman on the issue of detainees in the context of the conflict is taking place in a positive and constructive atmosphere so far," the UN envoy's office stated in a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter) and seen by Barran Press. "The parties have reached an understanding on procedures for the release of detainees in the context of the conflict, including Mohammed Qahtan."
The statement emphasized the importance of completing the negotiations on this understanding with a sense of responsibility to achieve tangible results towards the release of all detainees in the context of the conflict, based on the "all for all" principle.
The current round of negotiations is part of the ongoing UN efforts to support the parties in fulfilling their commitments under the Stockholm Agreement.
The government delegation spokesperson, Majid Fadil, confirmed the agreement, stating, "We have reached an agreement with the Houthi delegation, witnessed by the United Nations, on the exchange of 50 Houthi prisoners for the politician Mohammed Qahtan, who has been kidnapped and held for more than nine years."
Abdulqader Al-Murtada, head of the Houthi prisoners' committee, also confirmed the agreement, adding that it includes the release of Qahtan in exchange for 50 prisoners held by the other side. If Qahtan is deceased, his remains will be returned in exchange for the 50 prisoners.
He emphasized the Houthi's commitment to ending this humanitarian file by releasing all prisoners based on the "all for all" principle, free from any political calculations.
The latest round of prisoner exchange negotiations began on Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Muscat under UN supervision.
During the opening session, the head of the government negotiating delegation, Yahya Kazman, linked the success of the talks to the revelation of Qahtan's fate. He stated that one of the objectives of the participation was to secure the release and exchange of Qahtan, who he described as a "major obstacle" whose case must be resolved before moving towards a broader process and closing this humanitarian file by releasing all detainees and hostages held by all parties without exception.
Qahtan is a prominent leader in the Islah Party, the largest political party in Yemen, and one of four individuals whom UN Security Council Resolution 2216 of 2015 demanded the Houthis release.