Yemen: Conflict in Yemen: Abyan’s darkest hour

For around 10 months leading up to mid-2012, Abyan governorate in southern Yemen was racked by armed conflict between government forces and Ansar al-Shari’a, an Islamist armed group affiliated to al-Qa’ida. This report documents violations committed by Ansar al-Shari’a when cities and towns in Abyan were under their control and during the subsequent armed conflict. These violations included recklessly exposing civilians to harm during attacks; killing captured soldiers; abducting civilians; and obstructing medical treatment for wounded people. It also shows how government forces used disproportionate force during the conflict.

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