A/HRC/42/CRP.1 clashes as a result, most recently on 3 June 2019, between Yemeni militias, supported by Saudi Apache helicopters, and armed individuals belonging to local tribes.930 607. The most serious incident to date took place on 13 November 2018, when peaceful demonstrators gathered in the district of al-Husawayn, on the main al-Mukalla to alGhaydah highway, west of the road-tunnels. Around 100 unarmed demonstrators were on the side of the main road. The protest was against the proposed construction of a new military encampment there, which the protesters argued was unnecessary given the distance from any conflict or security threat.931 608. Saudi-backed Yemeni armed forces were at the location of the demonstration, equipped with a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MAPV) and up to 11 other military vehicles with mounted weapons. From 1700 hrs to 23:30 hrs, the Saudi-backed military personnel remained around 100-150 metres from the demonstrators. At 23:30 hrs, the MAPV drove at slow speed amongst the protesters, and then its fixed mounted weapon started firing at them in apparent indiscriminate bursts at close range, killing two of the protesters at the scene. A third demonstrator was seriously injured but managed to flee to safety. The MAPV drove around the location firing at the demonstrators for a period of five minutes until the demonstrators had all fled into the nearby mountains where they hid, whilst the MAPV supported by the other armed forces intermittently fired at where they were hiding. Other bystanders from the local area arrived some hours later during the early morning of 14 November 2018, armed with AK-47 machine guns, and there were exchanges of fire.932 The Saudi-backed governor of al-Mahra initially denounced the demonstrators as ‘outlaws’ but later agreed to the need for an independent inquiry. 933 The Group of Experts is not aware of any steps to set up this inquiry. 3. Detention by Saudi and Yemeni Armed Forces 2018-2019 609. The Group of Experts received credible reports of the detention and enforced disappearance, for political reasons, of up to 20 individuals in al-Mahra Governorate by Saudi and Yemeni armed forces between November 2017 and July 2019. The Group of Experts investigated a sample of cases, limited by time constraints and sources’ reluctance to speak to the Group for fear of reprisals. The Group, therefore, has concerns that the extent of the violations may be more serious than its findings convey. 610. In al-Mahra detainees were held in an unofficial facility within a Saudi Military Base at al-Ghaydah airport and the Mehwar Yemeni Military Police camp in Nishtun. The Group of Experts was able to confirm that some detainees have subsequently been transferred to detention facilities in Saudi Arabia.934 611. The Group of Experts documented the detention and enforced disappearance of six such people between March 2018 and July 2019, for periods of between one day and one year.935 Five of the six remained disappeared at the time of writing. 936 These individuals were arrested by Yemeni Military Police, in some cases under the supervision of or on orders of Saudi forces. In one case, a detainee was subjected to torture, including through electrocution and beating.937 4. Violations 612. Arbitrary deprivation of life is strictly forbidden under international human rights law.938 In law enforcement operations, the use of lethal force has to be limited to situations 930 https://sanaacenter.org/publications/analysis/7606, page 32-34. Confidential Sources on File. 932 Confidential Sources on File. 933 Confidential Sources on File. 934 Confidential Sources on File. 935 Confidential Sources on File. 936 Confidential Sources on File. 937 Confidential Sources on File. 938 Art. 6(1) ICCPR. 931 146