The company implementing the construction and preliminary planning works for Marib Airport stopped its work today, Saturday, as a result of its engineers and equipment being exposed to heavy fire by tribal gunmen demanding undue money.

Ayman Hamid, the company's engineering supervisor, confirmed in a statement to "Balqis" channel that gunmen from the Al Shabwan area in the Al-Wadi district opened fire on the equipment and the company's engineers at the site located east of the governorate. Although there were no casualties, the company decided to suspend its work until security protection was provided by the local authority.

Hamid explained that the project, funded by Saudi Arabia, has become stalled due to repeated blackmail attempts by armed groups. The company has submitted an official report to the local authority containing details of the repeated incidents and the names of the militants involved, but it has not received any response yet.

Hamid called on the local authority to intervene urgently to ensure the safety of the engineering team and the completion of the vital project, stressing that resuming work depends on ensuring a safe work environment. It is noteworthy that the company began its work five months ago, but faced repeated attacks.