Over 100 Houthi rebel prisoners released by the Saudi-led coalition returned to Yemen on Thursday, a move toward a long-anticipated prisoner swap between the warring parties.
A source at Sanaa airport said that three planes belonging to the Red Cross arrived today at Sanaa airport carrying the first batch of Houthi prisoners released by the Arab coalition.
The prisoners were received at Sanaa airport by a number of militia leaders and supporters.
Welcoming 128 freed rebels at the airport in the capital, Sanaa, Houthi leader Muhammad al-Bukhaiti hailed their arrival as “a first practical step by the Saudis that builds trust.” Dozens more released in Saudi Arabia earlier this week are expected to follow.
Yemeni government officials had described the release as a show of good faith aimed at encouraging Houthis to engage in peace talks.
