Houthis set free 153 prisoners

Yemen’s Houthis released 153 prisoners on Saturday with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the ICRC said in a statement.

The identities of the prisoners were not disclosed, but the ICRC said they had received regular visits by the organisation in Yemen’s capital Sanaa.

They included older people and the wounded and were released for humanitarian reasons, the Houthis’ Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs said in a press conference.

“This operation has brought much-needed relief and joy to families who have been anxiously waiting for the return of their loved ones. We know that many other families are also waiting for their chance to be reunited. We hope that today's release will lead to many more moments like this,” Christine Cipolla, the ICRC's head of delegation in Yemen, said.

It marked the second such release after one last year.

There was no immediate indication that any UN personnel were freed, after the global body said on Friday that seven of its personnel had been seized. Last year, 11 UN staff members were seized.

The Iran-aligned Houthis have controlled most of Yemen, including Sanaa, since seizing power in 2014 and early 2015.