Yemen’s Houthi rebels have announced the release of 159 pro-government fighters under an amnesty announced after they seized swathes of land in a major offensive last month, AFP reports.
The prisoners had “voluntarily surrendered themselves without fighting” as the Iran-backed group captured strategic positions along the Red Sea, Houthi official Abdelqader al-Murtada told a press conference in Sanaa.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed the unilateral release of 159 prisoners and said it had given support by organising interviews and health checks, contacting families and helping arrange transport.
Murtada said 323 prisoners were released under the amnesty last month after surrendering in Hodeidah governorate.
