Touching farewell for Saudi soldier martyred on border

A Border Guard soldier became the first martyr of Operation Decisive Storm when he was killed in a firefight with Houthi infiltrators on the Saudi-Yemen border early Thursday morning.
Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Interior Ministry, said in a statement that Border Guard soldiers came under heavy fire at an advanced observation point in the Al-Hisn area in Asir.
The gunfire came from a hilly location in Yemeni territory. The offensive, in which Corporal Suleiman Al-Malki was killed and 10 other soldiers wounded, was brought under control with the support of land forces, he said.
Al-Malki is survived by his wife and son Wael, who has just turned five. He was buried after funeral prayers at the Rajhi Mosque in Abha on Thursday.
Abdullah Al-Khalidi, a relative, said the family believes that Al-Malki is happy because he died a martyr.
He said Al-Malki’s last WhatsApp message to him was that he had succeeded in memorizing eight chapters of the Holy Qur’an.
Members of the Al-Malki clan were proud that he had died in the line of duty, fighting for the holy land and the oppressed people of Yemen, the relative said.
Friends and relatives have posted photographs of the soldier on social networking sites.
They expressed deep sorrow at his death and prayed for the safety of his colleagues fighting in the operation.
Several retired officers and soldiers have meanwhile volunteered to join the Border Guard and assist in the operation, according to Maj. Gen. Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, spokesman of the body.
Al-Ghamdi said the Border Guard was working with other sections of the armed forces to prevent infiltrators from crossing over into Saudi territory.