President Al-Zubaidi Arrives in Shabwa and Officially Launches Operations at Ataq Airport After Decade-Long Closure

President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), arrived on Tuesday afternoon in Shabwa Governorate to assess the situation and review the needs of its citizens.

Upon his arrival at Ataq International Airport, President Al-Zubaidi, with his accompaning ministers and senior officials of the STC were received by many of tbr key political and military leaders including Sheikh Awad Ben Al-Wazir Al-Awlaqi, governor of Shabwa Governorate, Mr. Mohammed Al-Ghaithi, a member of the STC's Presidium, Head of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission (CRC) supporting the PLC, Mr. Salem Thabet Al-Awlaqi, head of the National Southern Media Authority (NSMA) and official spokesman of the STC, Sheikh Lahmar bin Ali Laswad, Head of the local leadership executive body (LLEB), Major General Adel bin Ali Al-Masabi, Commander of the Ataq Axis, Commander of the 30th Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Wajdi Baoum, Shabwa Defense Staff, Commander of the Second Brigade, in addition to undersecretaries of the governorate, local authority officials, military commanders, senior security officers, and prominent social personalities from the governorate.

During his visit, President Al-Zubaidi officially announced the launch of operations at Ataq Airport, marking the resumption of civilian flights after a 10-year hiatus, following the completion of extensive rehabilitation work at the airport.

President Al-Zubaidi lauded the efforts made to rehabilitate the airport, emphasizing that its reopening will provide a significant boost to development in Shabwa Governorate, facilitate the travels of citizens, and strengthen economic and commercial ties between Shabwa and other governorates.