Yemen Prisoner Exchange (May 2026)

The prisoner exchange agreement, signed as a result of United Nations-supported negotiations between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, has been regarded as one of the most comprehensive prisoner swaps since the start of the Yemeni civil war. Under the agreement, the parties have committed to mutually release approximately 1,728 detainees and prisoners.

The prisoner exchange agreement was signed following talks held in Amman, the capital of Jordan. The negotiations were conducted under the supervision of the United Nations and coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Yahya Kazman, Deputy Head of the Yemeni government negotiation delegation, stated that the agreement represents the largest deal in the history of cases involving detainees, abducted persons and those forcibly disappeared. Kazman announced that the parties would mutually release approximately 1,728 individuals.

According to the agreement, the Houthis will release approximately 580 individuals, including citizens of Saudi Arabia and Sudan. The Yemeni government has agreed to release approximately 1,100 Houthi detainees.

The agreement also includes members of the Arab coalition, Yemeni armed forces and security personnel, pro-government fighters, politicians and journalists who have been held in Houthi prisons for many years.

Hans Grundberg assessed the agreement as a significant development for the Yemeni peace process. Grundberg noted that despite deep mistrust between the parties and prolonged conflict, a negotiated outcome was achieved and emphasized that the agreement brings hope to thousands of families.

The International Committee of the Red Cross also welcomed the agreement and announced that it will serve as a neutral intermediary in the transfer and repatriation of the released detainees. Christine Cipolla, Head of the ICRC Delegation in Yemen, stated that the agreement paves the way for reunions that families have awaited for years.

The civil war in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a military intervention by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia in support of the Yemeni government. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, widespread destruction of the country’s infrastructure and the emergence of one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

Previously, in April 2023, the parties carried out a major prisoner exchange involving the mutual release of approximately 900 detainees under the coordination of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The latest agreement is described as the largest prisoner swap in the history of the Yemen war.