By Ahmad Shihadah

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SA’NA, Yemen – Northern rebels in Yemen handed over a captured Saudi soldier captured to Yemeni government mediators, the latest sign that a six-year-old conflict is calming down.

The Saudi Press Agency quoted Saudi ambassador to Yemen Ali al-Hamdan as saying the soldier was brought from the northern province of Sa’ada, the rebel stronghold, to the embassy in Sa’na by helicopter. He will be sent back to Saudi Arabia later, the ambassador said.

A Yemeni official said the soldier was handed over to a committee, which supervises a cease-fire reached last week between Yemeni government and the Shi’ite rebels, known as Houthis. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

Last month, Yemen’s Shi’ite rebels offered Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, a truce and said they had left the kingdom’s territory. Riyadh later declared victory over the rebels.

In addition to fighting the rebels, Yemen is battling southern separatists and al Qaeda, which has made the country its regional base. The Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a U.S. passenger plane in December had links to Yemen.

Riyadh and Western powers fear impoverished Yemen may become a failed state and that al Qaeda could exploit the chaos to use the country as a base for attacks in the region and beyond.

For More Information, Please See:

 

Al-Jazeera – Yemen Houthis Free Saudi Captive – 15 February 2010

 

AP – Yemeni Rebels Release Saudi Soldier – 15 February 2010

The Washington Post – Yemen Rebels Hand Over One Saudi Soldier: Al Jazeera – 15 February 2010

BCC – Yemen Rebels Begin Handover of Saudi Arabian Soldiers – February 2010