ADEN, May 2 (NNN-SABA) – Forces loyal to Yemen’s government and the Houthi rebels, conducted a prisoner exchange in the country’s northern province of Marib yesterday, a government official said.
According to the local official, 18 detainees were released as part of a prisoner exchange between the two warring sides fighting over the control of the strategic oil-rich province of Marib.
The source said that, the government forces and the Houthi rebels exchanged prisoners through efforts exerted by local tribal mediators.
He clarified that nine prisoners were released by government troops, while nine others were released by the rebel group.
Yemen’s local tribal mediators, have more than once, succeeded in brokering prisoner exchanges between government forces and the Houthis, in different areas of the war-torn Arab country.
The Houthis have been beefing up offensive in Marib since early Feb, which led to a slew of intense fighting between the rebels and government forces, killing hundreds on each side.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said this week, nearly 20,000 people have been displaced by violence in the region, since early Feb, and dozens of civilians have been killed or injured.– NNN-SABA
