Emirati soldier killed in Saudi Arabia

ABU DHABI // The body of an Emirati soldier who was killed in a road accident in Saudi Arabia arrived at Al Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Officer Obaid Salem Saeed Al Badwawi, 22, died when his vehicle overturned, reported state news agency Wam.

The officer was serving in the Saudi-led Arab coalition’s Operation Restoring Hope, which is taking place in Yemen.

His body was brought home by a military aircraft. It was borne by a party of senior Armed Forces officers.

Al Badwawi, who has been enrolled in the military service for three years, is survived by his mother, two sisters and seven brothers. He was the second youngest child.

He resided in Masfut town in Ajman.

Abdullah Al Badwawi, the serviceman’s brother, said the soldier was in good spirits and in health when they last spoke.

“My brother contacted us two days before his martyrdom,” said Mr Al Badwawi.

“He was in a good health and told us that everything was fine.”

Mr Al Badwawi described his brother as “an obedient and devout son, loyal to his country and family”.

“His martyrdom is an honour to our family – he died in service of the country and held his family name high with his sacrifice.”

Al Badwawi spent six months abroad, according to his brother, Hamad.

“He took an aviation technician course in France for six months before he came back and continued his service.

“Our mother received the news of Obaid’s death in mixed feeling,” said Mr Al Badwawi.

“She was happy that one of her sons had died as a martyr defending his country, and sad to hear one of her youngest sons was dead.

“Obaid was an outgoing man, very spontaneous, and full of life,” said Mr Al Badwawi. “He had so many friends that loved him and were always around him when he was here.

“I am so proud to be a brother of a soldier who died serving this, his beloved country. You will never meet a guy as helpful as Obaid, he always reached out to offer help to his community, friends and family members. May he rest in peace,” he said.

Said Al Kaabi, a neighbour and a close friend of the father, said the soldier was a player in his town’s football club.

“Obaid was known as a big football enthusiast, and used to be a part of the Masfut football team,” said Mr Al Kaabi.

The body of the soldier will be buried in Masfut.

Last week, serviceman Abdullah Juma Al Shamsi was killed in Yemen.

It is believed the 20-year-old was in a convoy of military vehicles that was attacked by a car bomb in the Lahj district.

Another soldier was injured in the blast, according to Wam.

To date, more than 70 UAE service personnel have been killed while serving their country as part of the operation.

Most died in September last year following a rocket attack in the Yemeni city of Marib.

The UAE marked its first Commemoration Day on November 30 to remember all those who have died while serving their country.

newsdesk@thenational.ae