Prisoner Exchange Agreement Between the Yemeni Government and the Houthis (2025)

Prisoner Exchange Agreement Between the Yemeni Government and the Houthis is an agreement announced on 23 December 2025 providing for the mutual release of a total of 2,900 prisoners and detainees. The agreement was reached following negotiations conducted in Muscat, the capital of Oman, and lasting approximately two weeks.

Under the agreement, the Houthis will release 1,700 detainees and the Yemeni government will release 1,200 detainees. Among the 1,200 individuals to be released by the Yemeni government are seven Saudi Arabian citizens and 23 Sudanese citizens. The agreement has been recorded as the largest-scale prisoner and detainee exchange since the civil war in Yemen began in 2014. The process is planned to be carried out under the supervision of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Path to the Agreement

Negotiations regarding the prisoner and detainee exchange began on 12 December 2025 in the Omani capital Muscat. The talks were conducted between the Yemeni government and the Houthis and lasted approximately two weeks. It was reported that the negotiations were carried out under the heading of the “detainees and missing persons file.”

These talks constituted the tenth round of negotiations on prisoners and detainees. Delegates from the Yemeni government negotiation team and the National Committee for Prisoner Affairs, affiliated with the Houthis, participated in the discussions. It was noted that all individuals to be released would come from all parties and all fronts.

Yemeni government negotiation team chair Yahya Muhammad Kezman announced the signing of the agreement and declared that a total of 2,900 prisoners and detainees would be released. The National Committee for Prisoner Affairs affiliated with the Houthis also issued a written statement confirming that a broad-scale prisoner exchange had been agreed upon with the government.

Omani authorities hosted the talks in Muscat and played an active role in the negotiation process. In a statement issued by the Houthi-affiliated Committee for Prisoner Affairs, thanks were extended to Omani officials for hosting the talks and supporting the process.

Scope of the Agreement

The agreement provides for the mutual release of a total of 2,900 prisoners and detainees. According to the accord, the Houthis will release 1,700 detainees. A written statement issued by the Houthi-affiliated National Committee for Prisoner Affairs specified that the individuals to be released will be handed over according to agreed lists.

The Yemeni government will release 1,200 detainees under the agreement. Among these individuals are seven Saudi Arabian citizens and 23 Sudanese citizens.

Yemeni government negotiation team member Majid Fadail stated on the social media platform X: “An agreement has been reached on the release of thousands of detainees and missing persons.” The same statement noted that those to be released would come from “all parties and all fronts”.

Key Figures and Files

Muhammad Kahtan File

Among those scheduled for release under the agreement is Muhammad Kahtan, a prominent figure from Yemen’s Islah Party. Muhammad Kahtan was detained by the Houthis on 5 April 2015 and has not been heard from since that date.

Yemeni government negotiation team chair Yahya Muhammad Kezman confirmed in a social media post that Muhammad Kahtan would be among those released by the Houthis.

The Houthis had previously announced their acceptance of Kahtan’s release in earlier statements.

Role of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross

United Nations Involvement in the Process

The agreement was announced following negotiations conducted under the supervision of the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen. Hans Grundberg announced after approximately 11 days of meetings in Muscat that the parties had reached an agreement on a new phase of prisoner exchange. Grundberg stated regarding the agreement: “This is a positive and meaningful step.”

The same statement emphasized that the implementation of the agreement depends on continued cooperation between the parties and regional support.

Responsibilities of the International Committee of the Red Cross

It was announced that the International Committee of the Red Cross will play a role in the release, transport and repatriation phases of the agreement. The head of the ICRC’s mission in Yemen, Christine Cipolla, confirmed that the organization is ready to carry out its duties.

Cipolla’s statement read: “We are prepared and determined to carry out the release, transport and return of detainees so that individuals separated from their families can be reunited safely and with dignity.”

The same statement urged the parties to fulfill their commitments under the agreement without delay.

Regional and International Reactions

Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement

Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement regarding the prisoner exchange agreement reached between Yemeni parties in Muscat. The statement expressed satisfaction at the conclusion of the talks.

The same statement noted that the approach demonstrated by the parties during the Muscat negotiations led to an agreement of a humanitarian nature.

Arab League Statements

Arab League issued a written statement regarding the prisoner exchange agreement between the Yemeni government and the Houthis. Ahmed Abu Gheit described the agreement reached in Muscat as an “important humanitarian step”. The statement expressed hope that the agreement would pave the way for new initiatives to release additional prisoners and detainees in Yemen.

Gulf Cooperation Council Statements

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Mohammed Al-Budaiwi issued a written statement regarding the prisoner exchange agreement between the Yemeni government and the Houthis. The statement expressed the hope that the agreement would contribute to the peace and stability process in Yemen. The same text acknowledged the contributions of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross to the process.

Saudi Arabia’s Statement

Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement regarding the agreement between the Yemeni government and the Houthis. The statement read: “This is an important step that will help alleviate the humanitarian crisis and enhance security in the country.”

Kuwait’s Statement

Kuwait Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced its welcome of the prisoner exchange agreement reached between the Yemeni government and the Houthis. The written statement noted that the agreement was viewed as a development contributing to the peace and stability process in Yemen.

Previous Prisoner Exchange Processes

April 2023 Prisoner Exchange

In April 2023, approximately 900 prisoners and detainees were mutually released between the Yemeni government and the Houthis. This exchange followed negotiations conducted in Switzerland and was facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations. It was confirmed that among those released were citizens of Saudi Arabia and Sudan.

2018 Stockholm Talks

2018 talks held in Stockholm saw the Yemeni government and the Houthis exchange lists of more than 15,000 detainees and prisoners. However, no definitive agreement was reached on the exact number of prisoners and detainees held by each side.

The exact number of prisoners and detainees held by each side has not been publicly disclosed. According to information shared by human rights sources, it was estimated that approximately 20,000 prisoners and detainees were held across Yemen.