UN envoy says parties in Yemen have agreed to release more than 1,600 conflict-related detainees

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:23]I am pleased to announce that following 15 weeks of direct negotiations here in Amman, Jordan, the parties present here have agreed to release more than 1,600 1,600 conflict-related detainees.

[00:00:47]The see as neutral intermediary.

[00:00:50]And as mentioned by the UN special envoy of This is a significant achievement for several reasons.

[00:00:58]First, it marks the largest agreed release of conflict-related detainees in any round of negotiations between the parties since the outbreak of the current conflict in Yemen.

[00:01:11]Second, it demonstrates that even amid deep mistrust and prolonged conflict, dialogue can still yield results.

[00:01:22]The neutral intermediary role is bringing The next critical step is implementation.

[00:01:30]The parties have agreed on an implementation plan with International Committee of the Red Cross to move forward with the release operation.

[00:01:39]The responsibilities of the parties does not end with this round of releases.

[00:01:44]Much remains to be done, and many families are still waiting. And I encourage them to build on what has been achieved today, and to work towards additional releases, including through unilateral initiatives on the principle of all for all as per the obligations under the Stockholm agreement. The ICRC is ready, stands ready to further help release, support release.

[00:02:09]The implementation plan will take place as soon as possible.

[00:02:14]The neutral intermediary role is bringing detainees, transferring them between the parties to the conflict, which will happen inside Yemen.

[00:02:24]The International Committee of the Red Cross is ready, stands ready to further help release, support release, should the party continue in that direction.