Yemen’s Houthi rebels unilaterally released 153 war detainees on Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.
They had signalled on Friday night they planned a release of prisoners, part of their efforts to ease tensions after the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
However, the release follows the Houthis detaining another seven Yemeni workers from the United Nations, sparking anger from the world body.
The Red Cross said it “welcomes this unilateral release as another positive step towards reviving negotiations” over ending the country’s long-running war.
“This operation has brought much-needed relief and joy to families who have been anxiously waiting for the return of their loved ones,” said Christine Cipolla, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Yemen.
“We know that many other families are also waiting for their chance to be reunited. We hope that today’s release will lead to many more moments like this.”
The Houthis did not immediately acknowledge the release had happened.
The rebels said earlier this week they would limit their attacks on ships in the Red Sea corridor and released the 25-member crew of the Galaxy Leader, a ship they seized back in November 2023 as the Gaza ceasefire took hold.
They have previously detained UN staffers, as well as individuals associated with the once-open US Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, aid groups and civil society.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres late on Friday demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the seven, as well as all other UN workers held by the Houthis, some since 2021.
“The continued targeting of UN personnel and its partners negatively impacts our ability to assist millions of people in need in Yemen,” he warned in a statement.
“The Houthis must deliver on their previous commitments and act in the best interests of the Yemeni people and the overall efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.”
The UN has halted work in Yemen, which provides food, medicine and other aid to the impoverished nation.
US President Donald Trump separately has moved to reinstate a terrorism designation he made on the group late in his first term that had been revoked by president Joe Biden, potentially setting the stage for new tensions with the rebels.
It is not clear if the Houthis viewed the UN detentions as being linked to the decision.
