Funeral for serviceman killed in Yemen held in Al Ain

Funeral-goers pray over the body of Capt Hadif Al Shamsi in Martyrs’ Mosque in Al Ain. Al Ittihad

Quran is read over the body of Captain Hadif Al Shamsi in Martyrs’ Mosque in Al Ain. Al Ittihad

A boy weeps at the funeral of Capt Hadif Al Shamsi in Al Ain. Al Ittihad

Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed, and Sheikh Diab bin Mohamed bin Zayed perform funeral prayers over the body of Capt Hadif Al Shamsi. Wam

The body of Capt Hadif Al Shamsi is carried into the Mosque in Al Ain. Wam

AL AIN // Capt Hadif Humaid Al Shamsi, the Emirati hero who laid down his life to protect Emirates Red Crescent workers in Aden on Saturday, has been buried in Al Ain.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, extended his condolences to Capt Al Shamsi’s family at his mourning majlis in Zakher, Al Ain.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the family and prayed to Allah Almighty to bless the souls of all Emirati martyrs with mercy in Paradise.

Capt Al Shamsi died serving in the Saudi-led coalition’s Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen.

“All the families of the UAE are fingers on the hand of the Government – we are one and we stay that way,” said Mohammed Al Shamsi, the hero’s uncle and family elder.

Capt Al Shamsi, born in 1984, was attacked in his car by gunmen while parked at a supermarket in Aden. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Soldiers, citizens and residents joined the prayer at 1pm yesterday at the Martyrs’ Mosque in Al Ain. His body was then taken to Al Mutawa cemetery to be buried.

“We lose our boy but we are not saddened,” Mohammed said. “He is worth 70 of his kind and he brings honour to our family. If need be, if the sheikhs ask us, we will go to war, from the youngest of us to the eldest.”

Another uncle said that his nephew’s death, although difficult for the family, was a source of pride.

“This is the pride for us and this is our duty to the country and our people,” Ali Al Shamsi said. “I hope all Arabs unite. It is in our power to protect our lands. We are faced with a decision to defend Arab unity and this is what we must do.”

He said there were several members of the Shamsi family who had volunteered to fight and those who were already in the Armed Forces.

“The most important thing is that we know, and the UAE knows, that this will not deter us,” Ali said.

“We will keep our heads strong and we will do what our Government tells us.”

His said his son Manaa grew up with Capt Al Shamsi and considered him one of his best friends.

“What can I tell you, he was a standout young man, a great personality, a poet, and he loved being around people,” Manaa said.

“He was a man among men and now we remember him fondly.

“When you talked to him you got into his world, his stories. It saddens us but we take pride in his death.”

Also offering their condolences were Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, National Security Adviser, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed.