A major prisoner exchange between the Houthis and the Yemeni government involving about 900 prisoners ended on Sunday. Five planes transported about 5 former prisoners from Marib, the last stronghold of power in northern Yemen, to the capital Sanaa.
The exchange coincided with diplomatic efforts stemming from the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, aimed at cementing a long-term ceasefire. The Houthis announced that talks with Saudi Arabia will continue after Eid al-Fitr, which dashed hopes of announcing a new truce before the end of Ramadan.