The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today facilitated the safe return of a Saudi national from Sana’a, Yemen, to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

An ICRC team visited the individual in Sana’a hospital several times in recent days. His health condition was assessed this morning, to ensure he was fit to travel. He was then transported from Sana’a to Riyadh onboard an ICRC plane, accompanied by two ICRC staff members.

“We are pleased that this person has now returned home and we continue to offer our services so that thousands more people can return to their families”, said Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC’s Regional Director for the Near and Middle East. “This is an important step to continue building confidence among warring parties in Yemen”, he added.

The ICRC´s role was focused on providing medical assistance, with the support from the Yemeni Red Crescent Society, and arranging transport. We acted as a neutral intermediary and were not involved in any negotiations that preceded the release.