Shabwa (South24) 

Today, thousands have gathered in the city of Ataq, the capital of Shabwa governorate, in South Yemen, in a peaceful popular event called by the STC against "Yemeni entities".

The event, in which locals from various districts of Shabwa participated, announced their rejection for establishing "any Yemeni parties or entities." It also called for the deployment of the Shabwani Elite Forces.

#BREAKING

Mass attendance to the demonstration event called by the STC in Ataq, Shabwa governorate

#south24 pic.twitter.com/RAs9izyvuy

— South24 | English (@South24E) March 19, 2022

The participants raised the national flags of the former state of South Yemen. They also carried banners and pictures supporting the STC and the Southern Giants Brigades.

Ataq event in Shabwa against the "Yemeni parties" March 19, 2022 (Hafez Mekwar)

In a speech, the STC Director in Shabwa Ali Al-Jabwani said that the governorate "will not return to the past."

Al-Jabwani attacked the Tariq Saleh Political Bureau who opened his branch in the governorate on February 27.

He said, "It would have been better for those who plan their projects in South to focus on their governorates that are bleeding due to the Houthis and Islah dominance."

Ataq event in Shabwa against the "Yemeni parties" March 19, 2022 (Hafez Mekwar)

Al-Jabwani called for standing with the new governor of Shabwa, Awad Al-Awlaki, to "erase the traces of the past and move towards development."

The final statement of the event, called for Saudi, the sponsor of the Riyadh Agreement, to apply pressure on those who obstruct the spread of the Shabwani Elite Forces in the governorate.

It should be noted that a hand grenades and stun grenades exploded on Saturday morning in the Ataq event square.

شاهد بالصور الأضرار الناجمة عن القنبلة اليدوية الثانية التي ألقتها عناصر مندسة في فعالية شبوة الجماهيرية الرافضة لتواجد الكيانات اليمنية بالمحافظة#شبوه_ترفض_مخلفات_الاحتلال#عدن_المستقلة #AIC pic.twitter.com/uyfsNSi2ca

— قناة عدن المستقلة AIC TV (@AIChdtv) March 19, 2022

The grenade caused the injury of a citizen and some material damage, according to local sources

In addition, a source in the Southern Giants Brigades confirmed to "South24" that the Eighth Brigade commander, Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Salihi, survived an assassination attempt in Ataq.

The source said that unknown persons attached an explosive device to Al-Salihi's vehicle, but it exploded while he was outside.

#BREAKING

The Eighth Giants Brigade commander Bri. Gen. Mohammad Al-Salihi survived an assassination attempt in Ataq, Shabwa governorate center (Photo: activists)

#south24 pic.twitter.com/HsVIojCmYz

— South24 | English (@South24E) March 19, 2022

This event is considered the first in Shabwa to take place without repression by the authorities, two years ago, after the dismissal of the former Islah-affiliated governor Mohammad bin Adyo at the end of last year.

South24 Center for News and Studies 

Photo: Ataq event in Shabwa against the "Yemeni parties" March 19, 2022 (Hafez Mekwar)