The United Nation envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg, said on Wednesday that the ongoing prisoner exchange between the Yemeni Internationally recognized government (IRG) and the Houthi rebels in Muscat, Oman, had made progress toward an agreement that would free prisoners of war.
A spokesperson for the UN envoy’s office described the atmosphere of the talks between the two sides as “positive and constructive,”.
“The parties have reached an understanding about arrangements to release conflict-related detainees that includes Mohamed Qahtan,” the spokesperson added .
The current round of prisoner exchange discussions between the IRG and the Houthi rebels began in Muscat on Sunday, with delegates from both sides expressing hope that a deal could be reached to free all prisoners.
Two prior successful prisoner exchange discussions between the two sides resulted in the release of 1,800 prisoners and journalists held by the Houthis.
The breakthrough in prisoner exchange discussions in Muscat came a day after the Houthis rejected UN pleas to release scores of UN and foreign personnel abducted by the militia during their last campaign.
The Houthis also detained around 50 Yemeni UN workers and other international organizations, in a crackdown that drew widespread international criticism.
Last month, the Houthi rebels claimed to have broken a “major American and Israel” espionage network made up mostly of Yemeni individuals working for US embassy, UN agencies, and other international organizations.