Yemen peace consultations which are currently taking place in Kuwait have progressed relatively with regards to addressing the issue of detainees and abductees. However, they failed to achieve any political or security related results.

The prisoners’ committee agreed to release all prisoners and specified that half of them would be released within twenty days from the date of the agreement. The most important figures among these prisoners are those covered by the UN Security Council resolution 2216 and include the Minister of Defense Major General Mahmoud Salem Al-Subaihi, the brother of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi Major General Nasser Mansour Hadi and Brigadier General Faisal Rajab.

Despite the relative progress made with regards to the issue of prisoners, a source close to the government delegation said that “there is no significant progress in the consultations, although great efforts are being made by the UN envoy, the Kuwaitis, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the international community”.

While consultations continue, informed sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the rebel delegation continues to be obstinate in dealing with political and security issues, especially the issues of regaining the state, surrendering heavy and medium weapons and withdrawing from cities and institutions according to the terms of resolution 2216.

The sources also revealed that the UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed is seeking help from Omani mediators to put pressure on the rebel delegation to implement the resolution and the agreements that were agreed upon during the last three weeks at the Kuwait consultations.