Houthis Refuse the Implementation of Prisoner and Detainee Exchange Agreement
Yemen Monitor / Exclusive:
Informed sources reported today that the Houthi group refused to complete the prisoner and abductee exchange deal with the legitimate government, the implementation of which was scheduled to begin tomorrow, Saturday, in a new setback that threatens UN and international efforts to make progress on the humanitarian file.
A source in the government negotiating team to “Yemen Monitor” said that the Houthi group refused to commit to the implementation date of the deal, which was scheduled to launch tomorrow, noting that the government team received a notification from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Envoy’s office confirming the Houthis’ refusal to begin the deal, without clarifying further reasons behind this intransigence.
According to the sources, the head of the government team, Hadi Haig, met with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross this Friday evening in Marib, where they officially informed the team of the Houthis’ refusal to begin implementation according to the specified timeline, even though the government had completed all necessary arrangements and technical and logistical details for the success of the operation.
The sources stated that the Houthi refusal was unexpected, and that the International Committee of the Red Cross canceled the flights that had been arranged and scheduled to transport the prisoners and detainees, which were ready and prepared to take off from Djibouti today, following the Houthi refusal.
The sources spoke to “Yemen Monitor” on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.
The sources mentioned that the government negotiating team holds the Houthi group fully responsible for failing to complete the deal on its scheduled date, and considered this stance a continuation of the policy of procrastination and a deepening of the suffering of the detainees and their families, who were eagerly awaiting the release of their loved ones under this agreement.
