Rebel forces in Yemen have released the defence minister, a brother of the exiled president and a general they had been holding since late March, a source close to mediators said Wednesday.

"Defence Minister General Mahmud al-Subaihi, General Nasser Mansour Hadi (the president's brother), and General Faisal Rajab have been freed," the source said.

The move comes after a Saudi-led coalition carrying out air strikes on rebel positions across Yemen since March 26 announced on Tuesday an end to the first phase of its operations.
Source: AFP