Two ICRC planes, each carrying 48 prisoners, left for Sanaa, while eight other detainees boarded a third flight for Aden, the major southern city where the Yemeni government is based.
A spokesperson said the Geneva-based ICRC was providing airlift and logistical support, and arranging interviews with the released detainees. The operation, which comes just days before the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, brings the number of detainees released since Friday to 973.
The exchange of detainees this weekend was part of a deal struck in March in Geneva between the Yemeni government, backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
It is the biggest release since October 2020, when more than 1,000 prisoners were freed. It raises hopes for peace in a conflict that has plunged Yemen into a deep humanitarian crisis, left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced, according to the UN.
A six-month UN-brokered truce that began in April 2022 was not renewed when it expired in October, but the situation on the ground has remained calm, offering a respite to the population.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Rhine could warm by up to 4°C by 2100, scientists warn
This content was published on
The water temperature of the Rhine River could rise by up to 4.2° degrees Celsius by the end of the century due to the warming planet, scientists warn.
This content was published on
The Federal Council wants to explore the possibilities of joining the European Union’s €800-billion rearmament programme without compromising Swiss neutrality.
Defence Minister Pfister stresses importance of Swiss mission in Balkans
This content was published on
During a visit to the Balkans region last week, Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister met Swisscoy peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.
Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
This content was published on
On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.
Swiss launch competition for memorial to Nazi victims
This content was published on
The victims of Nazi Germany are to be commemorated on the Casinoterrasse in Bern. A competition will be held to determine what the site will look like.
This content was published on
The cantonal police of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland have arrested and convicted five cocaine dealers in Chur within a week.
This content was published on
The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.