A/HRC/24/34 drug and weapons smugglers try to enter Saudi Arabia.13 Yemen is also considered a base for Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Saudi Arabia was reportedly trying to secure its borders against possible infiltrations and attacks through the construction of a 1,800 km border fence to bolster security at its frontiers with Yemen.14 13. After launching Operation Golden Swords in May and June 2012, the military of Yemen reclaimed much of the Governorate of Abyan, clearing the territory’s main population centres of AQAP and Ansar al-Sharia. However, the reporting period was marked by the killing of high-level military and security personnel: some reports indicated that these killings were reprisals by Al-Qaida and its affiliates, being forced out of their strongholds; others have viewed these acts as means to settle local political disputes. Although the Government claims that it has diminished the number of Al-Qaida operatives working from their bases in different governorates, the group remains active in Yemen. In addition, a patchwork of State-backed local militias, the Popular Committees, has emerged in Abyan as the frontline security force against the insurgent Al-Qaida affiliates. The diverse composition of Abyan’s Popular Committees reflects political and tribal relations that have evolved since the 1994 civil war.15 14. As part of the GCC Initiative Agreement, and reiterated by the Security Council resolution 2051 (2012), the second phase of the transition also had to focus on the restructuring of the security and armed forces under a unified professional national leadership structure. During the reporting period, President Hadi issued a series of decrees dissolving the First Armoured Division and the Republican Guard and transferring its brigades to the seven different military zones. General Ali Mohsen al Ahmar, previously at the head of the First Armoured Division, was appointed as senior advisor to the President, whereas General Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, son of the former President and in charge of the Republican Guard, was appointed as ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. Other relatives of the former President, who had occupied important security or military position, were also removed from their posts during the reporting period.16 15. In addition, on 21 February 2013, the President issued Decree No. 5 (2013) on the restructuring of the Ministry of Interior, with the stated aim of responding to the need for oversight, accountability, combating abuse affecting citizens’ rights and freedoms, and fighting corruption. The Decree created the position of Inspector General and established the Department of Human Rights that reports directly to the Inspector General.17 16. OHCHR-Yemen received numerous reports from human rights groups documenting cases of individuals killed by drone strikes in different parts of Yemen. In interviews conducted by OHCHR-Yemen with the families of some of the victims of those attacks, it appears that no official investigation has been carried out and no compensation has been offered to the families. OHCHR recalls the obligation of States under international law to 13 14 15 16 17 6 See also “Saudi Arabia builds giant Yemen border fence”, BBC, 9 April 2013. Available from www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-22086231. See also “Saudi Arabia continues strengthening border security with Yemen”, Al Arabiya, 10 April 2013. Available from http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/10/Saudi-Arabiacontinues-strengthening-border-security-with-Yemen.html. The Committees do not belong to any particular party but are composed of all political factions, including Hirak, Islah and Salafis. For more information see Casey L. Coombs, “Yemen’s Use of Militias to Maintain Stability in Abyan Province”, 20 February 2013. Available from www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/yemens-use-of-militias-to-maintain-stability-in-abyan-province. Presidential Decrees Nos. 19 and 20 of 10 April 2013. At the time of writing the report, the Department mandate has not been clarified yet and its staff has not been appointed.