Yemen government and Houthis agree to release 1,600 detainees in swap

On 2026-05-15, Yemen's internationally recognized government and Houthi rebels agreed to free more than 1,600 detainees in the largest swap of Yemen's 11-year civil war. The deal was signed in Amman, Jordan, after 14 weeks of negotiations observed by U.N. officials and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The exchange had not yet occurred, but the agreement was formally reached that day.