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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)
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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.

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Egypt Rescues 28 People in Tourist Yacht Sinking in Red Sea

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
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Egypt Rescues 28 People in Tourist Yacht Sinking in Red Sea

Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)
Sea Story had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March. (Red Sea Governorate on Facebook)

A tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea on Monday after warnings of rough waters and 16 people were missing, Egyptian officials said.

The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, said rescuers saved 28 people from the vessel south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam, and some were airlifted to receive medical treatment.

Hanafy visited the site where the vessel sank, according to a Red Sea Governorate update on Facebook. A total of 44 people were on board the yacht, including 13 Egyptians, who include crew members, and 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland.

The governor confirmed that rescuers were still searching for the missing, including four Egyptians and 12 foreigners. Meanwhile, those who survived suffered only bruises and abrasions and were taken to a hotel in Marsa Alam in good condition.

The Egyptian military was coordinating rescue operations with the governorate.

The boat, named Sea Story, had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March, according to officials.

Preliminary reports, based on statements from the yacht crew and tourists, said a large wave crashed into the boat, causing it to capsize, according to the governorate’s update. Some of the passengers were inside the cabins when the incident unfolded within minutes, according to the statements.

The UK Foreign Office said it was providing consular support to “a number of British nationals and their families” after the sinking.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs also told The Associated Press in an email that it is “aware of this incident and is providing consular assistance” without revealing further details.

Meanwhile, Spain’s Foreign Ministry said it was not aware of any Spanish nationals among the missing. The ministry said that five Spanish nationals were rescued and are out of danger.

The governorate received a report shortly before dawn Monday of a distress call made from the yacht, which had left Marsa Alam for a five-day journey.

It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck, wooden-hulled motorized yacht to sink. But the Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday.

Meanwhile, founder of the Society for Marine Rescue and Environmental Conservation in the Red Sea Hassan al-Tayeb told Asharq Al-Awsat that the yacht likely sank because of the poor weather conditions, citing meteorological reports a day before the incident.

The vessel had set sail before the weather warnings were made.

Tayeb stressed that such accidents are uncommon and that vessels are inspected by the concerned authorities before taking any sea journey.

He did not hold anyone in Egypt responsible for tourist vessel sinkings, explaining that ultimately, the weather is out of anyone’s control.