Yemeni sources in prisoner swap talks: Monday possible signing date

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen Net
19 Mar 2023 18:48

The negotiations that started back on March 11 in the Swiss capital between the Yemeni parties have been reportedly making significant progress, according to Al Mayadeen correspondent in Geneva.

Prisoner exchange negotiations in Geneva (Archive)

The negotiations that started back on March 11 in the Swiss capital between the Yemeni parties (the government of Sanaa - the Saudi coalition-affiliated government) have been reportedly making significant progress, according to Al Mayadeen correspondent in Geneva.

Our correspondent said, "There is a possibility of a large-scale exchange deal in the coming hours."

Other sources echoed similar optimism. However, it was reported that some technical issues have not been resolved yet, indicating that the parties are seeking solutions during the coming hours.

The sources pointed out that "the deal includes high-ranking military officers and journalists in addition to civilians, and that the signing ceremony for the deal may take place tomorrow if the remaining complications are resolved."

Education for children in #Yemen has been one of the greatest casualties of the disastrous, inhumane #Saudi-led coalition over the past six years, according to #UNICEF. pic.twitter.com/u0oQRZHRmn
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The Yemeni negotiations started 10 days ago in a Swiss village in Bern, sponsored by the United Nations and the International Red Cross, in which many Saudi officers took part.

Back in late March 2022, an agreement was signed with UN mediation to exchange more than 2,200 prisoners from both sides, but the process of their release stalled amid mutual accusations of obstruction. The negotiations were then suspended by August.

After that, Sanaa made a new offer to the coalition forces through the United Nations to exchange 200 prisoners from each side.