Yemen: 6 Saudi detainees repatriated to Saudi Arabia

Geneva/Sanaa (ICRC) – Today, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the repatriation of six Saudi detainees from Yemen to Saudi Arabia following an agreement between the Saudi authorities and Ansarullah.

Before the operation, the ICRC verified that the detainees wished to be repatriated via pre-departure interviews at its offices. The ICRC provided a plane to repatriate the detainees.

The ICRC sees the release as a positive step and hopes that it will spur further releases and repatriations of conflict-related detainees.

"We are happy to see a momentum occurring with the release of detainees that has been happening on both sides,” said Freya Raddi, the ICRC's deputy head of delegation in Yemen. “Today is important as six more families will be reunited. It is a special moment when this happens, and we are honored to be part of it.”

An ICRC medical staff member was present prior to the release to assess the health conditions of the detainees and respond to any medical needs. A doctor confirmed that the detainees were fit to travel.

The ICRC is acting as a neutral intermediary to facilitate these repatriations and was not involved in any negotiations that preceded the release.

For further information, please contact:

Nathalie Bekdache, Spokesperson +967 730500719 (AR & ENG for international media)

Ala’a Nayel, Spokesperson +965 96673614 (AR & ENG for GCC Media)

Sarah al-Zawqari, Regional Spokesperson, +961 3 138353 (AR & ENG for international media)

Ewan Watson, ICRC Geneva, +41792446470 (ENG for international media)