Coalition forces capture strategic area in Yemen: paper

DUBAI, 17th November, 2015 (WAM) -- Almost three months since his martyrdom, the Al Shamsi family in Ras al-Khaimah believes, recalling the traits that he was loved for, or even bringing up his name, is comforting for the family, according to a report by Razmig Bedirian in the UAE daily Gulf News. "Mentioning Obaid and the type of man he was is helping us deal with reality," Obaid’s cousin, Ali Mohammad Al Shamsi, said. "What’s making his death easier to bear is the fact he died a martyr, serving his country." Born into a family of army men, it was not surprising that Obaid Saeed Al Shamsi joined the Armed Forces at the young age of 15. During his time as a soldier, Obaid was deployed in Bahrain and Afghanistan before being deployed to Yemen earlier this year. Obaid was among the 45 Emirati martyrs who were killed while fighting Al Houthis in Yemen on September 4th. The Ras al-Khaimah citizen was 31 years old when he was martyred. Obaid had no children of his own, yet he was a father to two boys whom his wife had from a previous marriage. The pair married almost four years ago. "Everyone is still shocked at Obaid’s absence," Ali said. "Obaid was the type of person you’re saddened to lose. His parents are being patient. They still find it hard to believe, especially Obaid’s mother. His father also served in the UAE Armed Forces. What’s helping us all cope is knowing that there is no greater honour than martyrdom. Obaid died by the principles he believed in, he was the one who instilled a feeling of patriotism in me and the desire to fight for my country." Ali said that Obaid, who was well known for his good-hearted nature, was the one who encouraged him to get married and enlist in the Armed Forces. "Obaid was the kind of man who had an unbreakable optimism, he was always beaming, there was no way you’d see him without a smile on his face," Ali said when Gulf News visited the family in September. "He taught me a lot. He would often tell me to forgive others, and to be the bigger man and apologise, even if they were at fault. He was the most respectable person I knew." Ali said his cousin had called him in the early hours of Friday, September 4th, the day Obaid was martyred. "We didn’t speak much, he was just checking up on me and saying all was well with him," Ali said, adding: "He had no idea that his time had come." Ali said his cousin had played a very influential role in his life and was inextricable from his earliest memories. "Obaid was my rock, he was my source of strength and my ethical compass. We were always together, grew up in the same house. When we were kids, the electricity to our house would often get cut, so we would spread a mattress outside, lie down and talk for hours. He was the one who convinced me to get married. I really miss him, but we all know he died a noble death. He died for his country, a martyr, and there is no higher honour than that. His parents can now call themselves parents of a martyr." Obaid’s father, Saeed Khalifa Saeed Al Shamsi, who is an army man himself, said in September that the mourning of his son’s death is tempered with a deep sense of pride. "He is a symbol of the solidarity of the Arabs and Muslims," he said. "My son died a martyr, he died for his country. Whatever the UAE’s leaders command, we will abide by." Al Shamsi said almost every male member of his family were serving in the Armed Forces. “The only ones that aren’t are too young to do so," he said. Obaid called his father the night before he was martyred. "It was a pleasant conversation, and for that I am glad," Obaid’s father said. "We spoke of everyday things. It was a simple conversation. He was asking me how the family was doing. He also said he was happy he was doing his duty to his country as an Emirati." – Emirates News Agency, WAM -http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395288065944.html