# Houthi detainee release and recruitment practices > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-detainee-release-and-recruitment-practices > Updated: 2026-10-28T12:09:38.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. In mid-October 2026, the Houthi movement released 159 detainees in Sanaa, Yemen, as part of a unilateral amnesty. Houthi official Abdelkader al-Murtada stated the individuals, who were members of government forces, surrendered voluntarily. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) supported the process with medical assessments but noted the action was not part of the 2018 Stockholm Agreement. By late October, reports emerged from the Rasd Organization for Rights and Freedoms alleging a different pattern of prisoner release. The organization reported that Houthi forces were releasing detainees held for criminal offenses or debts in the Ibb, Dhamar, and Sanaa governorates in exchange for military service. These individuals were reportedly being sent to active combat fronts in Taiz, Al-Subayhah, Kahbub, and Bab al-Mandab. Rasd characterized this as a “dangerous exploitation” of vulnerable individuals to address recruitment difficulties and military losses. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-28: Houthi militia releases prisoners in exchange for military service The Rasd Organization reports that Houthi forces are releasing criminal prisoners and debtors in Yemen to serve as combatants on various military fronts. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-militia-releases-prisoners-in-exchange-for-military-service ### 2026-10-17: Houthi movement releases 159 detainees in Sanaa The Houthi movement has released 159 government detainees in Sanaa, Yemen, through a unilateral amnesty supported by the ICRC. The detainees reportedly surrendered voluntarily during recent western Yemen offens 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/houthi-authorities-release-159-detainees-in-sanaa --- Cite as: Houthi detainee release and recruitment practices. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/houthi-detainee-release-and-recruitment-practices