Houthi movement releases 159 government forces in Yemen

On October 17, 2026, the Houthi movement announced the unilateral release of 159 members of the Yemeni government forces. The individuals were captured during the intensification of hostilities that began in July, specifically during the Houthi offensive on the western coast of Yemen in September. According to Abdelkader al-Murtada, a senior official of the pro-Iranian movement, those released had surrendered voluntarily and without resistance.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed the release of the 159 detainees, noting that it was carried out unilaterally by the Houthi movement. The organization stated that it did not participate in the identification or counting process, though it verified that the detainees had their health monitored while in custody. The Houthi movement has previously declared amnesty for fighters who lay down their arms.

This development occurs amidst a broader civil conflict that began when the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and expanded their influence across northern Yemen. The internationally recognized Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia, is currently attempting to push back the Houthi forces and has also issued its own amnesty offers for rebel fighters, although specific figures regarding those beneficiaries remain undisclosed.