Saudi-led coalition releases additional Yemen war prisoners

A Saudi-led military coalition has started freeing 104 more prisoners captured in Yemen's war, a unilateral release that followed an organized prisoner swap amid renewed diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict

A Saudi-led military coalition on Monday started freeing 104 more prisoners captured in Yemen's war, a unilateral release that followed an organized prisoner swap amid renewed diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it flew 48 detainees from Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport heading to Sanaa, Yemen's capital that has been held for years by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. More flights with prisoners were planned for later on Monday.

A U.N.-brokered deal saw the release of over 700 detained Houthis, and more than 180 other prisoners, including Saudi and Sudanese troops fighting with the Saudi-led coalition. That three-day operation was overseen by the Red Cross and ended on Sunday.

The prisoner releases come as the Houthis and Saudi Arabia say they have made progress in negotiations to revive an expired cease-fire and embark on talks to settle the conflict.

The Houthis say both sides will continue their talks after Eid al-Fitr, the holiday later this week that marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan.