Yemen freeing insurgents under peace deal

Yemen has begun releasing hundreds of jailed insurgents after the president « s directive to free 500 detainees, the country » s Washington embassy said Thursday.

« President Ali Abdul Allah Salehs move is a critical part of the February peace agreement between the government and the Houthi rebels in northern Yemen, who have fought for years.

Mohammed Albasha, the embassy spokesman, said in a statement that the nation of Qatar brokered the prisoner release, which has been called a “critical component” of the peace agreement. Qatar oversees the cease-fire.

In return for the move, the Houthis will surrender weapons seized during fighting.

» “This is an essential step towards building sustainable peace and reconciliation in Saadah, a northwestern province of Yemen,” Albasha said.

The rebels are supporters of slain Shiite cleric Hussein al-Houthi, and they began a revolt in 2004.

The antagonism is believed to be both separatist — over who will have power in the area — and sectarian — over whether Shiite Islam will dominate, even though most Yemenis are Sunni.

« Conditions of the cease-fire, which went into effect in February, include clearing mines, not interfering with elected local officials, releasing civilians and military personnel, abiding by Yemeni law, returning looted items, and ending cross-border attacks on the countrys northern neighbor, Saudi Arabia.