Saudi Gazette report

SANA’A — The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that a Saudi Arabian team, headed by its Ambassador to Yemen Muhammad Al-Jaber, held a series of meetings in Sanaa with the Yemeni stakeholders during April 8-13, 2023.

The talks, which were held in a positive and optimistic atmosphere, featured in-depth discussions on many pivotal issues related to the humanitarian situation; the release of all prisoners; a ceasefire, and comprehensive political solution in Yemen.

The ministry said in a statement on its Twitter account: “As an extension of the Saudi initiative that was announced in March 2021, and in the positive atmosphere brought about by the humanitarian truce in Yemen announced by the United Nations on April 2, 2022, the Saudi team, headed by Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Yemen Muhammad Al-Jaber, held a series of meetings during the period between Ramadan 17 and 22, 1444, corresponding to April 8-13, 2023 in Sanaa. The meetings witnessed in-depth discussions on many issues related to the humanitarian situation; the release of all prisoners, a ceasefire, and a comprehensive political solution in Yemen. These meetings and discussions featured transparency in an optimistic and positive atmosphere.”

On his part, Yemeni Interior Minister Ibrahim Ali Ahmed Haydan said this peace process, which took place as the initiative of Saudi Arabia and the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, is the largest one that took place in years.

He emphasized that these talks will continue to include everyone after the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr. Al-Jaber pointed out that greater understandings are coming regarding the peace process after the exchange of prisoners.

It is noteworthy that in the last major prisoner swap that took place in October 2020, more than 1,050 prisoners were released and returned to their regions or countries, according to a report of the International Committee of the Red Cross.