Ataq

thumb thumb thumb|Ataq City, Shabwah مدينة عتق شبوة thumb|Ataq City, Shabwah مدينة عتق شبوة thumb|Ataq City, Shabwah مدينة عتق شبوة Ataq (), alternately spelled Attaq, is a small city and the capital of Shabwah Governorate in Yemen. Ataq is 458 km south east of Sanaa. The difference in elevation of the city is about 70 m with generally partially flat topography with altitudinal variation in the range of 1120–1190 m.a.s.l. Its population was around 37,315 according to a 2004 census. On May 24, 1994, Ataq was seized by northern Yemeni forces. According to the Geo Names Database, Ataq is located at an altitude of 1146 metres. It is served by Ataq Airport; the landing strip is located to the north of the town. Armed forces loyal to exiled president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi captured Ataq from the Southern Transitional Council in August 2019.

==Landmarks== Ataq is described by Lonely Planet as "not at all like an inland Yemeni town"; other publications have described it as Beau Geste in appearance and "completely different" and surrounded by desert.