Yemen's internationally recognized government and the Houthi group signed an agreement to release more than 1600 detainees, marking the largest prisoner swap since the war began in 2014 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The deal was finalized on May 14 in Amman, Jordan, after about 14 weeks of direct negotiations facilitated by the United Nations [1, 2, 3, 4].

The exact total detainee count varies by source, ranging from more than 1600 to 1728 individuals [1, 3, 4]. The Houthis will release around 580 prisoners, including seven Saudis and 20 Sudanese. The Yemeni government will free approximately 1100 Houthi detainees [1, 3].

Yahya Kazman, deputy head of the Yemeni government negotiating team, called it "the largest deal in the history of the detainees, abductees, and forcibly disappeared file" and detailed that it covers coalition forces personnel, armed forces and security members, fighters from various military formations and the popular resistance, politicians, and journalists held by the Houthis [1, 4]. Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, said prisoner issues "remain at the forefront of our priorities" and called the deal "a historic accomplishment" [3].

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the agreement, urging "all parties to quickly implement it so families can be reunited as soon as possible" [2]. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg said, "This achievement clearly shows what sustained and steadfast negotiations can produce" amid Ramadan and regional tensions, adding it could build trust for a wider peace process [2].

The 2026 swap follows an earlier exchange in April 2023 involving nearly 900 detainees. The deal’s implementation will be coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross and overseen by the UN and ICRC to ensure compliance and continued dialogue, including mutual visits to detention sites [1, 2, 3].

The Yemen conflict started in September 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention supporting the government from March 2015 [1, 2, 4]. The war has killed tens of thousands and caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises [1, 2, 4].

The parties and mediators continue calls for the Houthis to release arbitrarily detained UN personnel and others held outside the scope of this deal [2].