On Saturday, Yemen's Houthi rebels released 153 war detainees, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. This release is part of recent efforts to reduce tensions following the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Previous releases of prisoners have been seen as an attempt to restart discussions aimed at ending Yemen's ongoing war, which began in 2014 when the Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa.

But the Houthis' release came shortly after they arrested seven more Yemeni UN employees, infuriating the international organization. The organization claimed in announcing the release that those previously released had been visited by Red Cross personnel in Sanaa, where they received medical examinations and other support. On Friday evening, the Houthis had indicated that they intended to release the prisoners. According to the Red Cross, this unilateral release is a great move in the right direction for resuming talks. Christine Cipolla, the ICRC's head of delegation in Yemen, said this operation has brought much-needed relief and happiness to families who have been eagerly waiting for their loved ones to return.

She added that many other families are also hoping for the same and expressed hope that today’s release will lead to many more reunions like this one. Abdul Qader al-Murtada, who heads the Houthis' Committee for Prisoners' Affairs, said in a statement that those released were mainly "humanitarian cases," including the sick, injured, and elderly. The aim of this effort, according to al-Murtada, is to build trust and start a new chapter of honest and serious negotiations. The Red Cross has previously helped facilitate prisoner exchanges, including one in 2020 that saw around 1,000 prisoners swapped, another with over 800 detainees in 2023, and another release in 2024.

This week, the rebels announced they would reduce their attacks on ships in the Red Sea and freed the 25-member crew of the Galaxy Leader, a ship they had captured in November 2023, during the Gaza ceasefire. The ongoing war in Yemen has claimed over 150,000 lives, both fighters and civilians and has caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, leading to tens of thousands more deaths. The Houthis have used their attacks on shipping during the Israel-Hamas war to shift attention away from their domestic issues. However, they have been facing significant losses from US-led airstrikes targeting them, as well as other strikes from Israel.

Yemen's economy is in ruins, which has put increasing pressure on the Houthis and other groups in the conflict to consider negotiating peace. Despite this, a ceasefire has mostly held for several years, even with the Houthis' continued attacks related to the Israel-Hamas war.

Still, the Houthis went ahead with raids that led to the detention of seven UN workers, among others. This is not the first time they’ve detained UN staff and individuals linked to the once-open US Embassy in Sanaa, as well as members of aid organisations and civil society groups.

On Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the immediate and unconditional release of seven UN workers, along with all other UN personnel being held by the Houthis, some of whom have been detained since 2021. He warned that the ongoing detention of UN staff and partners is harming the ability to provide crucial assistance to millions of people in Yemen. Guterres urged the Houthis to honour their previous promises and prioritise the well-being of the Yemeni people and the efforts to bring peace to the country.

As a result of the situation, the UN has stopped its operations in Yemen, which include delivering food, medicine, and other aid to the struggling population. Separately, US President Donald Trump has attempted to restore a terrorism designation he placed on the group towards the end of his first term, which President Joe Biden had withdrawn. This might lead to fresh hostilities with the rebels. Although the Houthis have not yet commented on the latest UN detentions, analysts have linked them to the decision. Repeated shows featuring individuals they claim are associated with the Israelis or Western intelligence services have been broadcast by the rebels on television networks under their control.