Yemeni Government Negotiating Delegation Heads to Jordan Tomorrow to Resume Prisoner Exchange Talks

Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:

Majid Fadail, a member of the government negotiating delegation concerning the issue of abductees and prisoners, announced that the delegation will head to Jordan tomorrow to hold a direct round of negotiations. This move is part of efforts to finalize the exchange of lists and agree on names, as well as to implement what was agreed upon during the “Muscat 2” negotiation round.

In a statement published on the platform “X,” Fadail confirmed that the negotiating delegation is working with a sense of responsibility and national commitment, aiming to secure the release of all detainees without any discrimination. He emphasized the importance of serious engagement from the other party and avoiding any obstacles that could hinder the implementation of the agreement.

The member of the negotiating delegation expressed hope that this round would succeed in leading to the completion of the exchange process, stressing that this would help bring smiles back to hundreds of families with the safe return of their loved ones, making the occasion a double celebration.

At the end of last month, a member of the government negotiating delegation, Sheikh Hassan Al-Qubaisi, stated that the procedures for implementing the Muscat agreement on prisoner exchange are still ongoing, albeit slowly. He affirmed that hope for finalizing the agreement “still exists,” amid debates over the delay in finalizing the lists of prisoners included in the agreement ahead of the scheduled implementation date.

In a comment to Yemen Monitor regarding statements issued by the Houthi group, Al-Qubaisi explained that the government delegation is aware of what is being circulated regarding the lists. However, he was requested not to make any media statements at this time to avoid entering into media disputes or debates that could affect the course of the agreement. He noted that work is ongoing despite the challenges.

This statement comes after the head of the Houthi-affiliated Prisoners’ Affairs Committee, Abdulqader Al-Murtada, announced that the lists of prisoners and detainees covered by the Muscat agreement have not yet been finalized, despite the approaching start date of implementation on January 27.