A/HRC/30/31 5. On 9 July 2014, the Popular Committees attacked and took over Amran city (Amran Governorate), north of Sana’a. The day before, Brigadier General Al-Qushaibi was killed in clashes between the Popular Committees and the 310th Armoured Brigade. The circumstances of his death remain unclear. Although allegations were made that AlQushaibi had been detained then executed, OHCHR was unable to verify them. The arsenal in possession of the 310th Armoured Brigade fell into the control of the Popular Committees. Their takeover of Amran aggravated the vulnerability of the capital and of the sitting Government. 6. On 18 August 2014, tens of thousands of pro-Houthi demonstrators took to the streets in Sana’a and several other cities to protest against the Government, blaming President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi for failing to carry out the reforms promised. Abdel Malik al-Houthi called upon President Hadi to dissolve the Government and reinstate fuel subsidies, which had been abolished on 30 July 2014, resulting in a net increase in the cost of fuel and other goods. Following the first day of demonstrations, members of the Popular Committees began arriving in Sana’a, establishing protest camps in different locations within the city, including nearby several ministries. Counter demonstrations by proGovernment supporters were held in Sana’a throughout the following month, some of which degenerated into violent clashes between opponents. 7. On 29 August 2014, the Security Council adopted a statement by the President of the Council, expressing grave concern about the deterioration of the security situation in Yemen, and recalling that individuals or entities threatening the country’s peace, security or stability could be subject to targeted sanctions (S/PRST/2014/18). 8. On 2 September 2014, President Hadi dismissed his cabinet and called upon the Houthi leadership to participate in a new government. He also agreed to partially reinstate fuel subsidies. The Houthis rejected the proposal and threatened to escalate their protests. In the weeks that followed, fighting escalated in Al-Jawf Governorate between Houthis and armed groups affiliated with the Islah party. 9. Fighting also broke out in Sana’a between supporters of the Houthis and government forces as the Popular Committees launched an offensive on the city. OHCHR was informed by witnesses that, between 18 and 21 September 2014, a total of 22 State buildings and the premises of civil society organizations were seized and occupied by members of the Popular Committees across Sana’a. 10. On 21 September 2014, President Hadi, together with Houthi delegates and major political parties, signed the Peace and National Partnership Agreement to stop the fighting. The Agreement called for a new, technocratic government to be established within one month and for the reduction of fuel prices by 25 per cent. It also stipulated that President Hadi should appoint two advisers from the Houthis and Al-Hirak,,4 and a new Prime Minister within the first three days of the signing. On the following day, Houthi forces attacked and seized the headquarters of the Sixth Regional Military Command (previously known as the First Armoured Division) in Sana’a. At around the same time, Al-Hirak renewed calls for independence and, on 14 October 2014, staged a demonstration with tens of thousands of people in Aden in support of secession. Over the following weeks, proindependence rallies continued in a number of cities, principally in Aden. 11. On 7 November 2014, pursuant to Security Council resolution 2140 (2014), in which the Council established a panel of experts to investigate those who engaged in or 4 4 Al Hirak (“the Southern Movement”) is a political movement operating in the territory of what was formerly South Yemen before it unified with the Republic of Yemen in 1994. The movement calls for the independence of the South from the Republic of Yemen.