Families of the UAE’s ‘martyrs’

One of the most common names cropping up in the list of UAE soldiers killed in the Yemen conflict is Al-Shehi. Nine of the 24 dead from Ras Al-Khaimah are named Al-Shehi, from the Shihuh, one of the main tribes who eked out a hard life in the Musandam mountains. Many moved to RAK after acquiring UAE nationality but were not seen as particular allies of the emirate’s ruling Al-Qasimi. They are proud of their history, telling a US diplomat they originated in Yemen before migrating up the Arabian peninsula following the Marib dam’s collapse in circa AD575.