Just hours after a phone call discussing his wedding arrangements with his father, Saudi soldier Shaalan Al-Shamari, 25, was killed in clashes with Houthi militias near the Saudi-Yemen border – days before he ties the knot. With sounds of heavy fighting in the background, Shaalan's father recalled the last conversation he had with his son, saying he asked for his prayers before he ended the call to join the battle at the frontline. "Our conversation lasted for more than an hour, he told me his vacation will start tomorrow", his father told Al Arabiya, adding that the two had agreed to meet at the wedding venue in Bisha. "We have completed all the wedding preparations and distributed the invitations," he said, stating that the wedding was meant to take place on Oct. 28. "I'm proud of my son, he sacrificed himself defending our religion and homeland against the aggressors." — Al Arabiya English
