Emirates obstructing prisoner swap: Yemen’s Houthis

By Mohamed al-Samei

SANAA (AA) – The Houthi rebel group on Wednesday accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of hindering implementation of a prisoner-exchange deal between it and Yemen’s Aden-based government.

“We have information that the UAE is opposed to the agreement,” the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah TV channel quoted Abdul Qader al-Murtada, a leading Houthi member, as saying.

Anadolu Agency was unable to obtain immediate comment from UAE or Yemeni government officials regarding al-Murtada’s assertions.

Last December, Sweden-hosted peace talks wrapped up with calls for a ceasefire in Yemen’s coastal Al-Hudaydah province and the exchange of some 15,000 prisoners held by both sides of the conflict.

In 2015, a Saudi-led coalition, including the UAE, launched a wide-ranging military campaign in Yemen after the Houthis overran much of the country, including capital Sanaa.