The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that a series of meetings were held in Sana’a, with Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen, Muhammad Al Jaber, heading the discussions. The meetings focused on discussing the humanitarian situation, release of prisoners, ceasefire and inclusive political solution in Yemen. The discussions were described as transparent, optimistic and positive, however more discussions are needed to reach a sustainable political solution acceptable to all Yemeni parties. The prisoner exchange process began yesterday and will continue for three days, between the legitimate government and Houthis, exchanging roughly 800 prisoners through 15 flights to 6 airports inside Yemen. The operation was initiated by Saudi Arabia and the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, and considered to be the largest in years. The prisoner exchange operation is expected to lead to greater understandings regarding the peace process.
The meetings witnessed in-depth discussions regarding the humanitarian situation, the release of all prisoners, a cease-fire, and a comprehensive political solution in Yemen
Today, Saturday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry announced that the Saudi team, headed by the Kingdom’s ambassador to Yemen, Muhammad Al Jaber, held a series of meetings in Sana’a, which witnessed in-depth discussions on many issues related to the humanitarian situation. The release of all prisoners, a cease-fire, and a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.
And she wrote on her Twitter account, “As an extension of the Saudi initiative that was announced in March 2021, and for the positive atmosphere provided by the humanitarian truce in Yemen announced by the United Nations on April 2, 2022 AD, the Saudi team, headed by the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Yemen, Muhammad Al Jaber, held a meeting in The period between 17 to 22 Ramadan 1444 AH, corresponding to 8 to 13 April 2023 AD; a group of meetings in Sana’a, which witnessed in-depth discussions on many issues related to the humanitarian situation; the release of all prisoners, a cease-fire, and a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, where it was characterized These meetings and discussions are transparent, in an optimistic and positive atmosphere.
The statement also indicated that due to the need for more discussions; You will complete these meetings as soon as possible. Which leads to reaching a comprehensive and sustainable political solution acceptable to all Yemeni parties.
It is noteworthy that yesterday, the prisoner exchange process began in Yemen, and it will last for 3 days, between the legitimate government and the Houthis. The operation will continue today, Saturday, and tomorrow, Sunday, in order to exchange regarding 800 prisoners from both sides, through 15 flights to 6 airports inside Yemen.
In turn, Yemeni Interior Minister Ibrahim Ali Ahmed Haydan explained that this operation, which took place at the initiative of Saudi Arabia and the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, is the largest in years.
He also stressed that it will continue to include everyone following the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr. He pointed out that greater understandings are coming regarding the peace process following the exchange of prisoners.
It is noteworthy that in the last major exchange that took place in October 2020, “more than 1,050 prisoners were released and returned to their regions or countries,” according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The recent meetings held by the Saudi team in Yemen have undoubtedly paved the way towards achieving a comprehensive political solution to the ongoing crisis in Yemen. The discussions focused on crucial issues related to the humanitarian situation, release of prisoners, and a much-needed cease-fire. With the positive atmosphere generated by the recent UN-announced humanitarian truce, the meetings were held in an optimistic and transparent environment. The current prisoner exchange process is also a positive development towards achieving lasting peace in Yemen. As we await the outcome of the ongoing discussions, we hope that all parties involved can reach a sustainable political solution that is acceptable to all Yemeni parties.
