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Over 100 Yemeni prisoners return to their country

Monday, 17 April 2023 1:21 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 17 April 2023 7:50 AM ]

Yousef Mawry

Press TV, Sana’a

Three planes carrying 105 liberated prisoners from the Yemeni Armed Forces have arrived in Sana’a International Airport, after years of captivity under the Saudi-led coalition.

This was the final day of the prisoner exchange deal that was executed under the auspices of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross..

The released prisoners were embraced with hugs from their family members and a reception of traditional Yemeni dances to celebrate their release.

The prisoner exchange is part of an ongoing effort between Saudi and Yemeni officials to reach a resolution to end the war, paving the way for more talks between the two sides.

Some of the prisoners who arrived on Sunday said no matter what happens going forward during the peaceful dialogue, the rights of the Yemeni people should never be violated.

The war in Yemen has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Hundreds of thousands of people have died due to direct and indirect causes, with 4.5 million people internally displaced and more than two-thirds of the population living below the poverty line.

The prisoner's exchange officially comes to an end with 880 prisoners going home to spend the Eid al-Fitr holiday with their families. But with much more talks ahead in pursuit of a peaceful solution to end the war, the prisoner exchange serves only as the appetizer to a full course meal of problems that will be placed on the negotiation table to try and resolve.

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