Brave Ali’s miracle baby
Iraq blast victim’s joy 15yrs after near death
IRAQ bomb survivor Ali Abbas feeds the tot he never imagined he’d have.
The 27-year-old became a dad to Yusuf 15 years after losing his arms in a blast few believed he would survive.
Ali, brought to the UK by the Mirror, said: “He is the most precious gift.”
AS Ali Abbas lay in his hospital bed with both arms blown off and horrifically burnt, doctors gave the youngster aged 12 little chance of survival.
But 15 years after the bomb blast that wiped out his entire family, the 27-year-old is now the proud father of baby Yusuf, a child he never believed he would have.
Ali’s joy is in marked contrast to the horrific images of him with first-degree burns after his Baghdad home was hit by a US missile strike in the 2003 Gulf War.
The Mirror launched a mercy mission to bring him to the UK for treatment after our generous readers raised tens of thousands of pounds to help his plight.
And as he fed little Yusuf a bottle using his feet, Ali told of his delight.
He also showered the tot with kisses as they lay side by side and has even arranged for a baby sling so he can hold his son to his chest as an alternative to cuddles.
PRECIOUS
He said: “In my darkest moments I could never have imagined that I would become a father one day.
“Now Yusuf is my future, my family. Now his arms are my arms. From now for every day of his life I will enjoy watching him do all the things I haven’t been able to do.
“But I intend to be a role model for him. While I don’t have my arms, I can still feed him, using my feet, and while I can’t cuddle him, we often lay down together, side by side so I can kiss him.
“After all that has happened in my life, I almost have to pinch myself that he is here. He is the most wonderful, precious gift and I’m determined to be the best father I can possibly be for him.”
Yusuf was born in a central Baghdad hospital on January 23, weighing a healthy 8lb 8oz. He quickly bonded with mum Zainab who Ali married last February.
Ali became a British citizen in 2010 and lives in London.
But he visits Iraq regularly, where he met 21-year-old Zainab. They have been conducting a long- distance relationship and he got on a plane the moment he heard she was ready to give birth.
Ali said: “I got a call from Zainab’s mum at 11pm on January 22 to say she had started having contractions so I booked the next flight out I could, although that meant I knew I’d miss the birth. I stayed up all night waiting for the next phone call which came at 3am along with the first picture of Yusuf. I cried and then prayed, thanking God for the news of his safe arrival. “I wasn’t due to visit Iraq for a few weeks but I couldn’t wait any longer to meet my son, so hours later I was on a plane to meet him. “I just couldn’t believe it when I saw him for the first time. “His fingers were so tiny, and such small toes. To have the joy of my own family after all that’s happened was a profound and wonderful moment. I was in tears. I felt so happy, so proud.
“Zainab was lying on a bed resting when I first walked in and Yusuf was in a crib beside her.
“She was so shocked because my visit was a surprise.
“I asked Zainab’s mum if she would lift Yusuf out and put him on my stomach so I could feel his heart beating. It was a very special moment, which I’ll never forget. I gave him lots of kisses.
“He is such a good baby and everyone says he looks like me… especially the nose. Zainab is breast-feeding Yusuf but we also
I couldn’t believe it when I saw him for the first time. I was proud ALI ON MOMENT HE FIRST MET BABY YUSUF IN IRAQ
agreed that so I can feed him too, that he can have some bottles which I hold using my feet.
“I also use my feet to rock him in his crib to sleep. Those moments are incredibly precious to share with my son and I’m determined to do all that I can.”
Ali became the face of the horrors of the Gulf War when the picture of him in his dilapidated hospital bed was beamed around the world after the attack.
The Mirror published an open letter to then Prime Minister Tony Blair from the youngster’s personal nurse pleading with help to get him specialist treatment.
After our readers raised the cash needed to fly him here, he was taken to Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup, South East London, and fitted with artificial arms.
Ali said: “I still remember when the Daily Mirror came over to bring me back to the UK. I don’t know what my life would have been without their help and I’ll always be indebted and thankful to them. While I was born in Iraq, London is now my home, and they brought me to my new life.”
Manchester United fan Ali had a Red Devils tattoo etched on his first prosthetic arm.
These days, he rarely uses his prosthetics, using his feet instead for many tasks.
But the blast, which killed 16 members of his family, still haunts Ali, who suffered 60% burns and contracted potentially deadly sepsis.
He admitted he can sometimes still hear the echoes of his family’s screams as a ceiling and wall fell on them while fire engulfed their home.
A neighbour plucked Ali’s charred frame from the burning rubble and rushed him to a nearby hospital.
His recover astounded everyone here and in Iraq, where he still has stepsisters and extended family.
Ali later got married but it ended in divorce due to the strain of living in separate countries. However, he met Zainab through family friends on a trip to Baghdad in December 2016 and was ready to find love again.
He said: “My extended family knows Zainab’s family well and so we were introduced in that way.
“She is lovely and caring and I felt very relaxed with her from the start. Most importantly, we both wanted children, which is something that has always been my dream.
“I told her I wanted to try for a child immediately after we were married and she was happy with that. The couple married in a traditional two-day Iraqi ceremony witnessed by 200 family and friends and in May last year Zainab announced she was pregnant. Ali’s joy was tempered only by concerns about coping with yet another long-distance relationship.
He said: “I have been a British citizen for many years but the Iraqi people are also my people and so it is like living between two worlds. I hope very much Zainab and my son will be able to join me in Britain eventually but that will ultimately be a matter for the Government to decide.”
For now, Ali must cope with being a long-distance husband and father who counts the days until each new trip. He next plans to see his son in mid March.
During his last visit to meet Yusuf, he also celebrated his 27th birthday on February 9.
AUNTIE
He added: “Having Yusuf was the best birthday present ever. Zainab and I kept him very close to us and it was the first time I’ve slept with a smile on my face. I kept waking up in the night and each time I would get up and just gaze at him.
“It made me think back to being in a hospital bed during the war. I remember overhearing a doctor telling my auntie I was going to die so I never believed I would be here today let alone as a father to a child.”
Speaking of his mum who was killed in the Baghdad blast, Ali said: “I know she would be so proud of me, Zainab and Yusuf and would have loved to be a grandmother to him.
“She cannot be here but I am determined to keep her memory alive by telling Yusuf all about her.”
For now, Ali is consumed with planning the next visit to his son and will take with him a very special piece of equipment.
He said: “A friend called and asked what gift I might like to celebrate the new baby. I told her I would like a baby carrier so that Yusuf can be strapped to my chest. That way, he can go everywhere with me, next to my heart.
“Later I will learn to pick him up with my feet but for now, this will keep him close.”
DAILY Mirror readers embraced Iraq war victim Ali Abbas 15 years ago when he lost his arms and was horrifically burned in a US air strike that killed his family.
So it’s an unalloyed joy to see him happy with a family of his own, showing that life goes on and, individually and collectively, we must never give up hope for a better future.