In a statement issued today, Friday, the National Bloc of Political Parties and Groups held the Houthi militia fully responsible for the safety of all abductees, detainees, and victims of enforced disappearance, holding them accountable for the consequences of these ongoing violations, particularly in the case of activist Mohammed Qahtan, who has been subjected to enforced disappearance for over eleven years.

The statement reads as follows :

The National Bloc commended the agreement signed in Amman, Jordan, on May 14, 2016, which stipulates the release of more than 1,728 detainees and abductees held in prisons run by the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthis, in addition to the release of Houthi prisoners held by the legitimate government. The statement explained that this important humanitarian step stems from a national responsibility towards the heroic detainees, abductees, and prisoners, while fully upholding their rights to justice and fairness in accordance with national and international laws, since the tragic armed coup by that militia in 2014.

The bloc expressed its gratitude to the Presidential Leadership Council, the legitimate government, and its negotiating team, which demonstrated patience and tremendous efforts over the past years to ensure the success of these negotiations. It also expressed its appreciation for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's role in sponsoring this sensitive issue and for its active contribution to achieving this long-awaited breakthrough. Special thanks were extended to the office of the UN Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for hosting the rounds of negotiations.

While welcoming the humanitarian agreement, the coalition stressed that its true success hinges on its full and immediate implementation. In this context, it called on the United Nations and the international community to ensure the implementation of a rigorous monitoring mechanism to prevent the Houthis from repeating their past practices. It emphasized that definitively resolving the issue of detainees and abductees requires an end to the arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances perpetrated against citizens by the militia. The coalition also demanded that the Houthis adhere to the signed agreement and refrain from any obstructionist tactics, noting the tragic impact these violations have had on thousands of Yemenis and their families.

The statement affirmed that the release of abductees and prisoners is a non-negotiable human and national right, and cannot be considered a concession or a grant given by the Houthis. The coalition warned against attempts to exploit this issue for political purposes or use it as a bargaining chip, as has happened previously. It also noted the militia's continued use of arbitrary arrests of citizens to create new hostages before each round of negotiations, which negatively impacts the effectiveness of agreements unless this practice ceases entirely.

The statement reiterated its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all abductees and detainees, with particular emphasis on the case of activist Mohammed Qahtan, who has been subjected to enforced disappearance for over eleven years. It asserted that his case constitutes a crime in itself, warranting an independent international investigation and accountability.

The National Coalition concluded its statement by emphasizing that its position on the recent agreement and all rounds of negotiations remains inextricably linked to the immediate disclosure of Mr. Mohammed Qahtan's fate and his unconditional release, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions. He affirmed that his continued disappearance constitutes a war crime that undermines the confidence of the Yemeni people and the international community in any mediation efforts. He emphasized his commitment to supporting all endeavors to achieve a comprehensive peace that restores the state's prestige and sovereignty and guarantees the dignity of the Yemeni citizen.

Issued by the National Bloc of Political Parties and Components

May 15, 2026

Signatories to this statement:

1. General People's Congress
2. Yemeni Islah Party
3. Yemeni Socialist Party
4. Nasserist Popular Unity Organization
5. Political Bureau of the National Resistance
6. Participating Southern Peaceful Movement
7. Yemeni Rashad Party
8. Justice and Construction Party
9. Southern National Coalition

• Renaissance Movement for Peaceful Change
• National Solidarity Party
• Southern Revolutionary Movement
• Yemeni Unity Gathering Party
• Union of Popular Forces
• Peace and Development Party
• Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party
• Hadhramawt National Council
• National Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party
• Democratic People's Party
• Shabwa National General Council
• Republican Party
• Liberation Front Party