“Amid confusion and wickedness, we will reap the fruits of peace.”
[Jun.13.2023] On the 18th (local time), after the conclusion of the three-day UN-sponsored talks in Jordan on the prisoner swap, the delegations of the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels, two warring parties, reported that they had “positive” outcomes.
Majed Fadayel, a spokesman for the Yemeni government delegations, told foreign reporters that the talks focused on securing the release of thousands of prisoners and detainees held by both sides and the talk concluded successfully.
Fadayel disclosed that the Houthis have agreed to release Mohamed Qahtan, a politician who has been held in imprisonment since 2015 and agreed to release him in the upcoming prisoner exchange. In addition, the talks focused on the release of prisoners, a ceasefire, and a comprehensive political solution, according to Xinhua, citing Houthi rebels’ Al-Mashira TV.
Other proposals were offered by both sides during the talks and will be submitted to their leaderships for approval before another round of talks expected in early July, according to Fadayel.
Meanwhile, the UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg congratulated the “positive outcome” of the talks in Jordan’s capital Amman.
He welcomes that “The two sides agreed to report the proposals and discussions to the higher-level leadership to finalize the details and action plans. In particular, there was an agreement on the priorities of each proposal this time.”
The Houthis have remained unresponsive to repeated appeals from the United Nations, local and international human rights groups, as well as the politician’s family for access to Qahtan, according to the Yemeni government.
Negotiations between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels, mediated by the United Nations, succeeded in March and 900 prisoner exchanges were eventuated in April. It was the second-largest prisoner swap in Yemen’s civil war, which has dragged on for eight years since 2015, and more prisoners could be released if the agreement is concluded again in July, the UN said. (Source: Newsis Comprehensive)
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first of all, pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:16-18)
God, please intervene in the agreement between the Yemen government and the Houthi rebels so that the release of thousands of prisoners of war is eventuated and that would lead to the end of the civil war. When the people of this country who have been in chaos thru strife and envy for a long time crave peace, may You respond personally and reign over the leaders and rulers with justice. We pray that Yemen’s civil war will end and that the people in humanitarian crisis will recover in Your care, and that the wisdom from above will save the fruits of peace and righteousness that will grow on this land.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
