DIILS conducted a Section 1206 engagement in Yemen on the law of armed conflict and human rights, as mandated by U.S. law. It focused on emerging issues related to the law of armed conflict and the challenges faced by a professional military confronting an internal armed conflict. The team also discussed the prevention of gender based violence and the role of treaties and customary international law.

Twenty-three professionals from the Yemeni Ministries of Defense and Interior attended this seminar in Sana'a. One highlight was a discussion led by Brigadier General A. Esmail Alkadhee of the Yemeni Ministry of Defense Department of Legal Affairs, who spoke about the importance of established Rules of Engagement and the prohibition of war crimes and gender violence.  The General admonished military professionals to remember their unwavering duty to uphold the rule of law.  

The DIILS team was led by CAPT Robert Sanders, JAGC, USN, the Director of DIILS, who opened the program and brought a wealth of operational experience to the discussions and exercises.  In addition, the CENTCOM SJA, COL Walter Hudson, JAGC, USA, provided his legal and operational expertise from multiple deployments and his in-depth knowledge of the region.  Rounding out the team was the Executive Officer of the Navy Reserve unit that supports DIILS, CAPT Jonathan Shapiro, an Arabic speaker who anchored ROE concepts in teachings from Arab history and culture familiar to the Yemeni participants.