Musca — The latest round of negotiations over a proposed prisoner exchange involving 1,600 detainees in Yemen has faltered in the Omani capital, Muscat, as the Houthi delegation resisted compromise despite mounting international pressure.

According to diplomatic sources, United Nations mediators intensified efforts to bridge differences between the parties, urging flexibility to advance the humanitarian deal. The Yemeni government delegation reportedly showed readiness to move forward, signaling openness to phased releases and confidence-building measures.

However, the Houthi representatives maintained rigid demands, slowing progress and frustrating mediators who had hoped the Muscat talks would mark a breakthrough in the long-stalled process. The exchange, if implemented, would represent one of the largest prisoner releases since the 2018 Stockholm Agreement, offering relief to thousands of families across the conflict-torn nation.

Observers note that the impasse underscores the broader challenges facing peace efforts in Yemen, where mistrust and political calculations continue to overshadow humanitarian imperatives. 

Despite the setbacks, UN officials affirmed their commitment to sustaining dialogue, emphasizing that the release of detainees remains a critical step toward easing the suffering of civilians and building momentum for a comprehensive settlement.