Representatives of Yemen’s warring parties reached an agreement on Thursday to release more than 1,600 prisoners held in connection with the country’s prolonged conflict. The deal was formalized during a United Nations-facilitated meeting in Amman, Jordan, marking a significant development amid ongoing tensions in the region.

The agreement was negotiated between Ansar Allah, the group controlling northern Yemen, and the internationally recognised government. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg described the prisoner release as an unprecedented milestone in the history of Yemen’s conflict, emphasizing that it is the result of 15 weeks of intense diplomatic efforts held under the UN’s auspices.

“This is a moment of profound relief for thousands of Yemenis who have endured long and painful waits for the return of their family members,” Grundberg said. He acknowledged the vital role played by the families of detainees, whose persistent advocacy has helped drive the process forward.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), acting as a neutral intermediary, will oversee the logistics of the prisoner release. The organization called the agreement a “crucial step forward” in efforts to ease hostilities and foster reconciliation between the parties.

Previous prisoner exchanges have taken place during the conflict, with more than 1,000 individuals released in 2020 and approximately 900 in 2023, according to ICRC records. Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 and has caused one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises. After years of intense fighting, a UN-brokered truce in 2022 brought a reduction in hostilities, although sporadic violence and political tensions have persisted.

The latest agreement to release detainees is viewed as a positive measure toward advancing peace efforts in Yemen, which continues to face significant challenges in its broader political and humanitarian landscape.