Iran-backed Houthis Release 113 War Prisoners

The International Committee of the Red Cross announced that Iran-backed Houthi fighters released 113 war prisoners related to the civil war in Yemen on Sunday, June 6. This unilateral release of prisoners comes a year after the release of 800 prisoners by the warring parties in Yemen. According to the statement, the release of the 113 prisoners took place on Sunday morning in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, and included individuals whom the Red Cross regularly visited and provided assistance to. Daphne Mart, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Yemen, stated, "We hope this [action] paves the way for more releases and brings peace to families eagerly awaiting to reunite with their loved ones." The Red Cross noted that one of the released individuals has health issues and was transported by ambulance to his hometown within Yemen. Abdulqadir al-Murtada, a Houthi official responsible for prisoner exchange negotiations, mentioned that the release was delayed by one day for logistical reasons. Since the onset of the conflict in 2014, thousands of combatants have been captured, and many others have gone missing. The Red Cross deemed Sunday’s action as a "positive" step towards reviving prisoner exchange negotiations. This international organization expressed its readiness to facilitate the release, transfer, and return of other war prisoners. The entry of Houthi fighters into northern cities, including Sana'a, and the forced exit of the legitimate government from these areas sparked the Yemeni civil war. In 2015, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia entered the war against the Houthis to restore the legitimate government to power. The conflict between the Houthis and the legitimate government has recently turned into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and the Iranian government. This war has become one of the most catastrophic humanitarian crises in the world, claiming the lives of 150,000 people so far. Australia has listed Iran-backed Houthis as a "terrorist organization." The Houthis claimed to have attacked three ships in the Red Sea, Mediterranean, and Arabian seas. The U.S. stated that the Iranian government cannot hide behind the Houthis and must immediately cease destabilizing actions. The U.S. military has destroyed missile systems, missiles, and drones of the Iran-backed Houthis.