Sana'a: Chairman of the National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs Abdulqader Al-Murtada, Head of the Military Committee Major General Yahya Al-Razami, and their accompanying delegation returned to Sana'a International Airport on Thursday from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan after participating in UN-sponsored negotiations on the prisoners' file that lasted for more than three months.
According to Yemen News Agency, during a press conference held at Sana'a International Airport, Major General Al-Razami praised the success of the recent prisoner exchange deal, describing the achievement as a pivotal step that paves the way for resolving the remaining outstanding issues. He expressed appreciation to the Leader of the Revolution, Sayyed Abdulmalik Badr al-Din Al-Houthi, and President of the Supreme Political Council Field Marshal Mahdi Al-Mashat, for their directives and support that helped drive the negotiations toward success.
Major General Al-Razami affirmed that the prisoners scheduled for release deserve every sacrifice for their dedication and defense of religion, homeland, and leadership. He emphasized that this humanitarian file represents a top priority and hopes the success of this deal will advance all remaining files.
The head of the military committee also extended thanks to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for their hospitality and facilitation over more than three months, during which Amman hosted intensive rounds of negotiations and discussions that culminated in success.
Chairman of the National Committee for Prisoners' Affairs Abdulqader Al-Murtada announced details of what he described as the largest and most comprehensive prisoner and detainee exchange deal, concluded after intensive negotiation rounds. He expressed gratitude to the Leader of the Revolution for his exceptional efforts and close follow-up before and during the negotiations.
Al-Murtada praised the support of Supreme Political Council President Mahdi Al-Mashat, the government, the Ministry of Defense, and the General Staff Command, commending Major General Al-Razami's role in overcoming obstacles and ensuring the agreement's success. He explained that the current deal involves 1,700 prisoners and detainees from both sides, including the release of 1,100 prisoners and detainees in exchange for 580 prisoners from the other side.
Al-Murtada outlined the geographical distribution of the released prisoners according to battlefronts, with prisoners from the Ma'rib front, Saudi prisons, the southern front, the western coast front, and the Taiz front, while others are distributed between Al-Jawf and the border fronts. He confirmed that not all those released are prisoners of war, noting that the deal also includes around 400 civilian detainees who were arbitrarily detained.
Al-Murtada stated that the negotiations faced complications and challenges, most notably uncovering the fate of forcibly disappeared prisoners. He noted that pressure from the committee led to the inclusion of more than 50 previously hidden prisoners. Among the challenges was the inclusion of nearly 200 prisoners with severe sentences, and Sana'a's firm position on ensuring a comprehensive deal for the release of the majority of prisoners and detainees.
Regarding the Qahtan file, Al-Murtada reiterated that Sana'a had never concealed the fate of Mohammed Qahtan and that disclosure remained conditional on the other side revealing the fate of their prisoners. He revealed that the agreement's implementation is scheduled for July 10, requiring logistical and preparatory procedures, including verifying that enemy prisons are free of prisoners and completing technical arrangements.
He reassured families that the deal is genuine with strong guarantees for implementation and mentioned complementary steps, including forming joint committees for reciprocal field visits to prisons. Al-Murtada also praised Jordan's positive stance and role in facilitating the negotiations.
The delegation was received upon arrival by Deputy Interior Minister for Security and Intelligence Affairs Major General Ali Hussein Al-Houthi, Sana'a International Airport Director General Khaled Al-Shaif, and other officials.