Yemen's Houthis swap prisoners with Saudis

Yemen's Houthis say they have swapped nine Saudi prisoners for 100 of their own fighters in a first step to ending a year-long humanitarian crisis.

File image of supporters of the Shiite Houthi movement Source: AAP

Yemen's Houthi movement says it has exchanged prisoners with its foe Saudi Arabia.

It's a first step towards ending a humanitarian crisis prompted by a year-long conflict that has killed at least 6000 people.

"A first step of understanding and respect for the humanitarian aspect [of the conflict] was the exchange of prisoners today," Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam said in a statement on Sunday.

The Houthis had handed over nine Saudi prisoners in exchange for 100 of their own fighters, he said.

Riyadh and a coalition of Arab states entered Yemen's civil war a year ago in an attempt to restore President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthis and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh ousted him from power.