Barran Press
In a heartfelt interview with Barran Press, Ahmed Al-Shalif, a leader in the Ma’rib resistance, reflected on the life and virtues of his comrade, Major General Abdulrab Al-Shaddadi, on the eighth anniversary of his martyrdom.
Al-Shalif described Al-Shaddadi as a paragon of honesty, courage, generosity, wisdom, and military strategy. “He was a leader who would often embarrass us with his selflessness, serving his soldiers and leading them into battle while joking with them even in the fiercest moments,” he remarked. “If those who came after him knew how he treated his men, they would be ashamed and would hide from sight.”
He emphasized Al-Shaddadi's commitment to his troops, revealing that he often took out loans to support needy fighters, which left his family burdened with debts after his death.
Recalling the pivotal moment when they decided to confront the Houthi advance into Ma’rib following the takeover of Sana'a, Al-Shalif shared that Al-Shaddadi summoned him to his modest apartment in the city. During their discussion, Al-Shaddadi made a profound statement: “You and I, along with all the free men, will die, but we want to die in a way that frustrates the enemies and pleases our Lord.”
Al-Shalif noted that this resolve led them to devise a battle plan, stating, “We tied our shrouds around our necks, and by God's grace and the bravery of the men who rushed to the battlefield, we were victorious in defending the pure land of Ma’rib.”
Major General Abdulrab Al-Shaddadi was martyred on October 7, 2016, while leading forces against the Houthi group in the Sirwah front of Ma’rib province.