Ex-Yemeni prisoners land from Sanaa on third day of exchange

Four prominent journalists among former detainees aboard ICRC-chartered flights

A freed prisoner talks to his son after landing on an ICRC-chartered plane after it arrived at Sanaa Airport. Reuters

A group that had been detained in Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa landed in Marib on Sunday as prisoner swaps continued for the third consecutive day.

A plane carrying 48 Houthis — the first of several such flights — landed in Sanaa, while another carrying 42 Yemeni detainees flew in the opposite direction, landing in Marib.

Another three flights are scheduled to leave Marib on Sunday and two from Sanaa.

Deputy human rights minister Majid Al Fadael shared photos of the group waiting at Sanaa Airport for the first flight to Marib, and of buses transporting Houthis to Tadawin Airport. After the plane had landed, he shared images the newly freed men walking across the tarmac ready to meet family members, some of whom they hadn't seen since the war began eight years ago.

A total of 194 former detainees will be exchanged on Sunday, including four prominent journalists after international human rights organisations had pressed for their freedom. These included Tawfiq Al Mansouri, who is reportedly in poor health, his family told The National.

Prisoner exchanges began on Friday amid renewed efforts to bring an end to the nine-year conflict in Yemen.

Almost 900 will be swapped between the Iran-backed Houthis and a Saudi coalition led by the internationally recognised government.

Freed prisoners celebrate after arriving in Sanaa following a swap between warring parties in Yemen. Reuters

Relatives waited for the return of loved ones. Reuters

The International Committee of the Red Cross said 318 prisoners were released on the first day. Reuters

The ceremonial Baraa dance was performed for freed prisoners at Sanaa Airport. Reuters

Relatives cheer as the plane lands. Reuters

Freed prisoners of war walk at Sanaa Airport, after arriving on a flight chartered by the International Committee of the Red Cross as part of a prisoner swap between the rival sides in the Yemen conflict. Reuters

People wearing Yemen Red Crescent Society jackets wait as a plane carrying freed prisoners arrives at Sanaa Airport. Reuters

Houthi prisoners, freed under a deal between the rebels and Yemen's internationally recognised government, pray on the tarmac at Sanaa International Airport. AFP

Relatives of freed prisoners wait at Sanaa Airport. Reuters

Mahmoud Al Subaihi, centre, former defence minister of Yemen's internationally recognised government, and Nasser Mansur Hadi, top, brother to former Yemeni president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, arrive at Aden International Airport after being freed by the Houth rebels under the prisoner exchange deal. AFP

A freed prisoner is kissed after arriving at Sanaa Airport. Reuters

Yemeni Houthi rebel prisoners released as part of a prisoner exchange with the internationally recognised government, before boarding a flight to Sanaa. AFP

Members of the International Committee of the Red Cross wait to receive exchanged detainees loyal to the Houthis at Sanaa Airport. EPA

Released Houthi rebel prisoners in Aden, on their way to board a flight to Sanaa. AFP

Freed prisoners travel on a bus to an ICRC-chartered plane at Sanaa Airport. Reuters

Yemenis gather at the capital's airport ahead of the prisoner exchange. AP Photo

An Embraer ERJ aircraft flying under the banner of the ICRC takes off from Sanaa Airport. AFP

The process is being enabled by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Ten flights have already transported 675 prisoners, it told The National on Sunday.

Saudi detainees were included on Saturday as planes departed for Riyadh, while flights also departed for government-held Mokha on the Red Sea coast.

On Friday, 318 prisoners were transported on four flights between government-controlled Aden and Sanaa.

Many are awaiting emotional reunions ahead of the Eid Al Fitr holiday next week, with some families reuniting for the first time in more than eight years.

The ICRC has shared images of family reunions and described Saturday as a "day of joy."

"As we repatriated 237 former detainees from Abha to Sanaa and 20 from Sanaa to Riyadh, hundreds of families can finally rejoice after being reunited with their loved ones," said the organisation's GCC representative Ala'a Nayel.

"The energy and emotions of these individuals as they finally get to hug their loved ones in indescribable.

Journalist Tawfiq Al Mansouri was sentenced to death by Houthi rebels in 2020 but is expected to be sent home as part of Sunday's exchange.

His family has told The National of their anticipation and joy to celebrate Eid together after eight long years of separation.

While the deal is seen as a breakthrough towards ending the conflict, experts have warned that there is no "quick fix" to Yemen's war.

"The country requires a comprehensive, multi-track strategy to address the extensive legacy of war and identify viable solutions for the future," Ahmed Nagi, senior Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group, told The National on Friday.

Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Yemen visited Sanaa last week to revive a peace deal with the Houthi rebels which ended last October.

The UN has said the talks are the closest Yemen has come to peace.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan have hailed the progress made in ending the conflict.