The UN’s Yemen envoy, Hans Grundberg, has announced an agreement between the country’s warring parties to release over 1,600 conflict detainees.

This marks the largest prisoner release deal since the war began, according to Grundberg, who described the negotiations as 'extraordinarily complex.'

The Yemeni conflict escalated in 2014 when the Iran-aligned Houthi militia took control of Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile.

The UN envoy praised the advocacy efforts of detainees' families for their role in achieving this breakthrough, emphasizing that the agreement offers hope and relief to thousands of families who have waited for their relatives’ release.

Grundberg extended gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for co-chairing the process and to Jordan for hosting the negotiations in Amman.

The ICRC confirmed that both sides agreed on the identities of detainees to be released and stated they are prepared to facilitate repatriation efforts.

The agreement, facilitated through various rounds of negotiations including those held in Oman and Switzerland, includes an implementation plan developed with the Red Cross to oversee the releases.

However, the exact timing for the release remains unclear at this moment.

Grundberg called on both parties to continue working towards additional prisoner exchanges and emphasized the need for further unilateral releases in accordance with the 'all-for-all' principle outlined in the Stockholm Agreement.

He also highlighted the necessity for the release of UN personnel and other detainees being held arbitrarily.

The envoy expressed his hope that this deal can contribute to building confidence and trust, paving the way for a sustainable peace in Yemen.