عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Yemen Completes Second Phase of Prisoner Swap

Saudi deputy Chief of Staff Mutlaq al-Azima honors one of the Sudanese prisoners who was released. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi deputy Chief of Staff Mutlaq al-Azima honors one of the Sudanese prisoners who was released. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Yemen Completes Second Phase of Prisoner Swap

Saudi deputy Chief of Staff Mutlaq al-Azima honors one of the Sudanese prisoners who was released. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi deputy Chief of Staff Mutlaq al-Azima honors one of the Sudanese prisoners who was released. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The second phase of a prisoner swap was carried out on Saturday between the Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias.

Nineteen prisoners from the Arab coalition were released by the Houthis and flown to the Saudi capital, Riyadh, while some 250 Houthi detainees were flown to Sanaa airport.

The coalition said 16 of those released by the Houthis were Saudis and three were Sudanese. Among them were relatives of Presidential Leadership Council member Tariq Saleh.

They were received at Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport by Saudi Chief of Staff Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, his deputy Mutlaq al-Azima, commander of the joint forces, leaders of military branches, head of the military apparatus at the National Guard and the military attache at the Sudanese embassy.

Yemeni deputy minister for human rights and spokesman for the government negotiations team Majed Fadail told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saturday's swap included some 300 prisoners from al-Mokha in western Yemen, who were flown to Sanaa, and 250 Houthi prisoners held in Abha in southern Saudi Arabia, who were flown to Sanaa.

The fist phase of the exchange was held on Friday and witnessed the release of 318 detainees from both sides. They were released in four flights, operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, between Sanaa and the Yemeni interim capital Aden.

The entire exchange will witness the release of 887 detainees. Sunday will witness the release of 107 prisoners from Marib who will be taken to Sanaa and 90 prisoners from Sanaa who will be taken to Marib.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
TT
TT

Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.