On Friday, July 5th, 2024, sources reported that a draft agreement regarding the fate of Yemeni politician Mohammed Qahtan was signed in Muscat, Oman, during prisoner exchange negotiations between the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the Houthi group.

According to journalist Fares Al-Hamri, a correspondent for the Chinese news agency Xinhua in Yemen, the agreement stipulates the release of Mohammed Qahtan (alive) in exchange for the release of 50 Houthi prisoners (30 prisoners chosen by the Houthis from existing lists and 20 prisoners designated by the government team), all from the Marib front.

The agreement, as reported by Al-Hamri on the X platform seen by Barran Press, also states that the handover of Mohammed Qahtan's body, if he is deceased, would be exchanged for 30 bodies of Houthi fighters who fell in the Marib front. However, the agreement does not specify the identities of the bodies to be exchanged.

Al-Hamri confirmed that this draft agreement regarding Mohammed Qahtan was signed under UN auspices, while negotiations continue in Muscat. He also noted that prisoner lists were exchanged in the past few hours, paving the way for a larger prisoner exchange deal.

On Wednesday, July 3rd, the Yemeni government and the Houthi group announced a preliminary agreement in Muscat to release Mohammed Qahtan in exchange for 50 Houthi prisoners or 50 bodies if he is deceased.

The uncertainty surrounding Mohammed Qahtan's fate, who has been held captive in Houthi prisons for over nine years, has sparked outrage among Yemenis and politicians, particularly Qahtan's family and the Yemeni Islah Party. They accused the government negotiating team of "overstepping presidential directives that obligated them not to proceed with any agreement before revealing Qahtan's fate."

Deputy Head of the Consultation and Reconciliation Authority, Abdulmalik Al-Mikhlafi, stated that "it is politically unacceptable to agree on agreements concerning Qahtan's fate based on possibilities. Revealing his location should precede any agreement."

Commenting on the announced prisoner exchange agreements in Muscat and the Houthi statements regarding Mohammed Qahtan, the head of the Yemeni Islah Party's Supreme Council, Mohammed Al-Yadoumi, expressed disappointment with the government negotiating team.

In a post on X, Al-Yadoumi stated that on June 25th, 2024, Yahya Al-Shuaibi, director of the Presidential Office, issued a directive to the prisoner and forcibly disappeared persons negotiating team, emphasizing that they should not finalize any exchange deal that does not include the release of Mohammed Qahtan or, at the very least, the disclosure of his fate.

Al-Yadoumi added that after this directive, the Houthi militia met in Muscat and spoke with one voice, leading him to question the government negotiating team's representation.

Meanwhile, the Islah Party's spokesperson and Deputy Head of its Media Department, Adnan Al-Odaini, stated that the party has "confirmed information" that Mohammed Qahtan, a member of the party's Supreme Council, is still alive.

Al-Odaini, in a post on X, held the Houthi group "fully responsible for his life," particularly after the "unethical" statements made by some of the group's leaders. He emphasized that "the immediate release of Mohammed Qahtan is a top priority."

Qahtan's family has categorically rejected what they described as "farces and statements emanating from Muscat." They stated that they have not authorized any party, not even to discuss their father's life, let alone negotiate or bargain on this matter. They held the Houthi group responsible for any danger their father might face in prison, especially after the statements issued from Muscat.

The negotiations, facilitated by the United Nations, commenced on Sunday, June 30th, 2024, in Muscat, aiming to secure the release of prisoners held by both sides.

During the opening session, the head of the government negotiating team, Yahya Kazman, emphasized the crucial role of revealing Qahtan's fate in ensuring the success of the talks.

Kazman stated that a key objective of their participation was "the release and exchange of politician Mohammed Qahtan," whom he described as "a fundamental obstacle that must be resolved before moving on to a broader process and closing this humanitarian file by releasing all detainees and abductees held by all parties without exception."

Qahtan, a prominent leader in the Yemeni Islah Party, the country's largest political party, is one of four individuals named in UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015) whose release the Houthis were ordered to facilitate.

The Houthis apprehended Qahtan from his home in Sana'a on April 5th, 2015, days after placing him under house arrest. His family has stated that they are unaware of his whereabouts or condition and have been unable to contact him since his detention.

In April 2023, the government and the Houthis executed the most recent prisoner exchange deal, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, following negotiations in Switzerland. This exchange resulted in the release of approximately 900 prisoners from both sides.