A/HRC/18/21 that announcement, demonstrators calling for governmental reforms were repeatedly met with violence, resulting in a significant number of deaths and injuries. The Al-Harak, JMP and Huthis united in support of the demands of what became known as “the popular revolution of the youth”. Subsequently, President Saleh alternated between offering further concessions, including sweeping constitutional reforms, and resorting to threatening rhetoric. 13. On 18 March 2011, clashes in the proximity of Change Square in Sana’a reportedly led to the killing of 53 persons, with hundreds injured. Various sources confirmed to the Mission that they had seen gunmen on top of surrounding buildings shooting at the protesters. Subsequently, a number of officials resigned, including Huda Al-Ban, Minister of Human Rights, and President Saleh dismissed the Cabinet and declared a state of emergency. He also ordered the provision of free medical treatment for all victims, including evacuations abroad for some, and an investigation into the events of that day. Nevertheless, the ousting of President Saleh and his relatives in the security organs of the country became the rallying cry of anti-government protesters. A senior military commander defected and announced that his troops would protect the permanent sit-in at Change Square. 14. On 8 April 2011, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiated the creation of a Cabinet of National Accord, according to which, the President would transfer his powers to the Vice-President, and elections, drafting and adoption of a new Constitution would follow. In exchange, the President and those who had served under him would be granted immunity from prosecution. While many protesters objected to the offer of immunity, the JMP signed the initiative on 21 May 2011, followed by senior members of the ruling party. However, President Saleh repeatedly refused to personally sign the GCC initiative. 15. Following his third refusal on 22 May 2011, fighting erupted in Sana’a between the Government and the prominent Al-Ahmar family, supported by tribal followers. Residences and public buildings were heavily damaged in the exchange of fire involving artillery, and thousands of inhabitants were forced to flee the city. Violence soon spread beyond Sana’a as the Huthis extended their control of northern areas, and armed Islamist groups seized several towns in the southern governorate of Abyan. After a riot and the brief kidnapping of security officials, Freedom Square in Ta’izz was forcefully cleared by Government security officials on 29 May 2011. Tents were burned and dozens of demonstrators were killed. 16. At the time of the visit by the Mission, tribes claiming to protect the protesters still controlled part of Ta’izz, including several public buildings. The Mission witnessed the deployment of tanks in the city and shelling at night. 17. Violence further escalated on 3 June 2011, when an explosion inside the mosque of the presidential palace during prayer killed 11 people and injured President Saleh and other senior officials. The injured were evacuated to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment, where several remain as of the finalization of this report.4 A Committee established by the Government of Yemen is currently investigating the circumstances of the above-mentioned criminal attack. 18. Prior to the 3 June 2011 attack, President Saleh had reportedly finally agreed to sign the GCC-led initiative. However, since his departure to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment, the Vice-President has been exercising presidential powers ad interim, and the GCC initiative has remained stalled, despite efforts by the international community and the United Nations to restart it. 4 6 Abdulaziz Abdulghani, speaker of Yemen’s Upper House of Parliament, died on 22 August 2011 in Saudi Arabia from injuries suffered during the attack on President Saleh.