Yemen Monitor | Marib | Exclusive:
A decision by Yemen’s Minister of Transport, Mohsen Haidara al-Amari, to appoint a director for the Marib International Airport—a project that has remained stalled since its announcement in 2020—has triggered a wave of mockery and indignation across social media platforms.
On Monday, the Ministry of Transport announced that the Minister had honored the former director of Al-Rayyan Airport, Anis Abdulqader Baswaitin, who was dismissed from his post on May 1st. The ministry stated the tribute was in recognition of his “distinguished efforts” during his tenure. During the ceremony held in Aden, the Minister officially commissioned Baswaitin as the Director General of Marib International Airport, citing a desire to utilize his administrative and technical expertise.
Public Indignation and Corruption Allegations
The appointment sparked immediate backlash among activists and observers, who described the move as a “disregard for the people and official responsibility.” Critically, the newly appointed director faced significant corruption allegations from employees during his time at Al-Rayyan Airport. His tenure there was marked by two months of protests, and his eventual dismissal only occurred after staff threatened a comprehensive strike.
Local activists also argued that the decision ignored qualified candidates from within Marib province. Journalist Ali Owaidha commented bitingly, “We congratulate the leadership on appointing Anis Baswaitin… a step confirming that this country only recognizes the trivial to lead and govern it.”
In a sharper critique, activist Naji Shabana pointed out that Baswaitin managed Al-Rayyan Airport while it allegedly served as a “secret prison” for foreign forces. “He failed significantly in managing the airport; negligence peaked during his era, and through his cooperation with militias, Al-Rayyan reached its lowest service levels,” Shabana wrote.
“A Director Without an Airport”
Beyond the political friction, the decision drew heavy sarcasm because Marib International Airport currently exists only on paper.
“The Minister of Transport appointed a director for an airport that doesn’t even exist,” noted activist Saleh al-Haqab. “He claims it’s for the future! Right now, the airport is just a plot of land, but apparently, the important thing is that the director is ready.” He added mockingly, “With Aden Airport looking like a ‘shack,’ we are surprised by news like this.”
Other social media users offered “congratulations” to the director for managing the “imaginary” Marib International Airport.
The outcry concluded with activists highlighting the internal contradictions within the Ministry of Transport: dismissing an official following mass protests and performance failures, only to immediately reappoint and honor him with a post in a different province.
