ADEN - The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg announced on Wednesday that negotiations between the Yemeni government and the Houthi group have achieved significant progress regarding the release of conflict-related detainees, including a prominent Yemeni politician.

In a statement issued by his office, Grundberg underscored the "positive and constructive atmosphere" prevailing during the talks in the Omani capital of Muscat.

The importance of concluding these understandings responsibly to attain concrete outcomes towards releasing conflict-related detainees in accordance with the 'all for all' principle

"The parties have reached an understanding on arrangements for the release of conflict-related detainees, including Mohamed Qahtan," the statement noted.

The UN emphasized "the importance of concluding these understandings responsibly to attain concrete outcomes towards releasing conflict-related detainees in accordance with the 'all for all' principle."

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According to Yemeni officials, a pivotal development in the ongoing negotiations has been the consensus on the release of Mohamed Qahtan, a prominent political figure whose detention has been a contentious issue between the two sides.

Majed Fadail, the spokesperson for the government's negotiation team engaged in prisoner and detainee discussions, confirmed via the social media platform X that an agreement had been reached with the Houthi delegation, under the UN auspices, for the exchange of 50 Houthi prisoners in return for Qahtan, held captive for over nine years.

The current round of talks, which commenced on Sunday in Muscat, is facilitated by the UN and th  International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It follows numerous prior negotiation rounds between the Yemeni government and the Houthi group concerning prisoners and detainees throughout the conflict that began in late 2014.

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Earlier discussions in Jordan in June 2023 concluded without resolution. However, a preceding session in Switzerland in March 2023 resulted in a successful exchange in April of that year, leading to the release of over 800 prisoners and detainees from both Yemeni factions engaged in conflict.