From the Liveblog of
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Yemen’s Houthis free 159 pro-government fighters under amnesty
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
Yemen’s Houthis announce the release of 159 pro-government fighters under an amnesty announced after they seized swathes of land in a major offensive last month.
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 tells a press conference in Sanaa.
The Houthis’ war with the Saudi-backed, internationally recognized government reignited in July, triggering attacks on Saudi oil shipments and other targets including airports.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirms the unilateral release of 159 prisoners and says it has given support by organizing interviews and health checks, contacting families and helping arrange transport.
Murtada says 323 prisoners were released under the amnesty last month after surrendering in Hodeidah governorate.
The Times of Israel Community.