عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Muscat Talks: Agreement Reached to Exchange Mohammed Qahtan for 50 Houthi Prisoners

Part of a meeting in Muscat between representatives of the Yemeni Government and Houthis on prisoners and detainees (UN Envoy’s Office)
Part of a meeting in Muscat between representatives of the Yemeni Government and Houthis on prisoners and detainees (UN Envoy’s Office)
TT
TT

Muscat Talks: Agreement Reached to Exchange Mohammed Qahtan for 50 Houthi Prisoners

Part of a meeting in Muscat between representatives of the Yemeni Government and Houthis on prisoners and detainees (UN Envoy’s Office)
Part of a meeting in Muscat between representatives of the Yemeni Government and Houthis on prisoners and detainees (UN Envoy’s Office)

Negotiations between Yemen’s government and Houthi insurgents have made significant progress in Muscat, Oman. Both sides agreed to exchange Yemeni politician Mohammed Qahtan for 50 Houthi prisoners.
Majed Fadail, the spokesperson for the government’s negotiation team engaged in prisoner and detainee discussions, confirmed the progress to Asharq Al-Awsat, noting that the talks began last Sunday under the auspices of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The spokesperson emphasized that the recent agreement with the Houthis is preliminary, with critical details still unresolved.
“We have agreed to exchange Mohammed Qahtan for 50 Houthi prisoners,” affirmed Fadail.
When asked about Qahtan’s condition, Fadail said: “The Houthis have not disclosed whether he is alive. If he’s deceased, they’ll receive bodies in return.”
“We consider the matter unresolved until all details are finalized. Progress has been made, but the agreement must be fully implemented,” stressed Fadail.
The government delegation insists on clarifying the fate of Qahtan, held captive by the Houthis for a decade, before proceeding with any “all-for-all” deal.
“Our leadership mandates responsible handling of this humanitarian issue. Ensuring Qahtan’s release is a priority in any exchange,” noted Fadail.
The UN and International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated previous successful exchanges, raising hopes for a comprehensive agreement in Muscat that could end years of suffering for captive families.
Recent exchanges under UN auspices saw over 1,000 detainees released initially and around 900 in subsequent rounds.
The Yemeni government demands the release of all detainees under an “all-for-all” principle, accusing the Houthis of obstructing talks by selective demands and withholding information about prisoners.
In the past exchanges, the Houthis released three out of four individuals covered by UN Security Council Resolution 2216: former President’s brother Nasser Mansour, former Defense Minister Mahmoud Al-Subaihi, and military leader Faisal Rajab.
They continue to refuse the release of the fourth, Qahtan, withholding information about his health and denying family contact.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Iraq Receives 7,000 Lebanese, Ministry of Migration Denies Settlement Allegations

The Immigration Department in Salah al-Din registers the arrival of Lebanese in the governorate. (Government media)
The Immigration Department in Salah al-Din registers the arrival of Lebanese in the governorate. (Government media)
TT
TT

Iraq Receives 7,000 Lebanese, Ministry of Migration Denies Settlement Allegations

The Immigration Department in Salah al-Din registers the arrival of Lebanese in the governorate. (Government media)
The Immigration Department in Salah al-Din registers the arrival of Lebanese in the governorate. (Government media)

The Iraqi Ministry of Migration has estimated that around 7,000 Lebanese citizens have arrived in Iraq, fleeing the ongoing war and the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, particularly in predominantly Shiite areas.

Meanwhile, the head of Najaf’s Provincial Council has urged the parliament to take advantage of the expertise among the displaced by contracting them to work in governmental institutions.

Ali Abbas Jahangir, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Migration, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the total number of Lebanese arrivals in Iraq is still not precise, as full statistics from land and air crossings, such as the Al-Qaim border crossing and Najaf and Baghdad airports, have not yet been provided.

He added: “The data we have indicate there are 4,600 displaced persons, and we estimate there may be around 7,000 based on initial figures from religious offices and border crossings.”

Jahangir denied rumors of a plan to resettle Lebanese refugees in Iraq, stating: “This is not about resettlement. There are cities and hotels in Karbala and Najaf that have accommodated them, but some families preferred to go to relatives and friends in other Iraqi provinces.”

Iraqi activists had discussed political efforts to resettle the Lebanese in various Iraqi cities, with some even circulating unverified recordings suggesting that Diyala province was being considered as a potential location for them.

The ministry’s spokesperson explained: “We have a few Lebanese families in Diyala, also in Salah al-Din province, and about five families went to the southern city of Samawah to stay with acquaintances and friends, as per their own preference.”

On Monday, the Ministry of Migration issued an urgent call to Lebanese citizens in Iraq, asking them to contact the ministry via provided phone numbers to “register them in the ministry’s database, secure their essential needs, and provide all possible assistance until the current crisis ends.”

The head of Najaf’s Provincial Council, Ghaith Raad al-Kilabi, submitted to the Iraqi Parliament a proposal to take advantage of the medical expertise of Lebanese professionals among the displaced population.

In his proposal to the federal parliament, Kilabi stated: “Given the arrival of a number of skilled professionals, including those in specialized medical fields, we suggest taking advantage of these scientific competencies according to their expertise and the needs of the country.”