The Iran-backed Houthi movement has released 159 Yemeni government soldiers who surrendered without combat during last month's offensives along the Red Sea coast, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Houthi prisoner affairs official Abdulqader al-Murtada announced on Saturday (October 17, 2026) that the troops were granted general amnesty, bringing the total number of freed detainees to 323. The ICRC assisted in facilitating their release and safe return to their families.
In a separate development, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that Houthi fighters shot down a Saudi Apache attack helicopter over the Najran region near the Saudi-Yemeni border while it was conducting airstrikes against Houthi positions. Saudi authorities have not yet issued any official statement regarding the alleged helicopter downing.
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Reported by International Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
