In another strong sign of de escalation, and hopefully eventual peace in Yemen, the Yemeni National Soccer League has officially restarted after a 12 year pause. This comes alongside the largest prisoner of war exchange to date involving more than 1,600 detainees.

Especially significant is today’s news that Al Sadd Marib Club, from territory controlled by Yemen’s internationally recognized government, is traveling to Houthi controlled Sana’a to face Shabab Al Bayda on Wednesday in the fourth round of the Yemeni league. For years, movement between these areas involved major political and security complications. Now clubs are once again traveling across the country for nationwide competition.

Now for some football updates. At the end of the third round, Al Mukalla’s Sha’b team Hadramout’s Al Orooba team lead the standings with 9 points each on goal difference. Wehdat Sana’a and Tadamon Hadramout follow with 6 points, while Al Sadd Marib currently sits sixth with 5 points.

For a country that has endured years of war and division, even the return of football carries deeper meaning.