Jordan – Agreement to exchange dead bodies but no final decision on prisoners exchange

Intercontinental Hotel – Amman – Jordan 09.02.2019

The meeting between the Yemeni government representatives and Houthis held in Jordan’s capital Amman about the prisoners exchange agreement concluded with an initial agreement to exchange dead bodies between the two parties, which will be executed in phases. However, a final decision on the prisoners exchange agreement was not reached. The discussions were extended to next Tuesday after the committee members return to their commands in order to discuss, clearly and precisely compile names and lists and reach a final decision on the prisoners exchange agreement. Ahmad Abu Harma, member of Yemen’s Sub-Committee on Dead Bodies and Human Remains explained that the agreement will be executed in three phases, the first of which will be exchanging the bodies in the freezers of both parties. The second phases is exchanging the bodies in graveyards and those that are far from the battlefield. The third stage is exchanging and removing bodies left on the battlefield and on the crossfire. Abdul Qadir Murtadha, Houthi Chairman of the Prisoners Affairs Committee mentioned that there is a solution in sight despite not being able to reach a final decision on the exchange as stated in the agreement due to the many disputes with the government regarding the nondisclosure of the fate of thousands of prisoners. He also mentioned expecting to hold further discussions about the prisoners lists.