ABU DHABI // A residential area and memorial are to be built in commemoration of the country’s fallen servicemen, as the death toll rose on Sunday to 54.
The coffin of Ghaleb Amer Al Mari was brought home on Monday, after arriving in Al Bateen Airport.
On September 4, 52 Emirati soldiers were killed after Houthi rebels carried out a rocket attack on an ammunitions base.
In honour of the dead, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, issued directives for the creation of Martyrs’ City, a residential area. Its construction will be overseen by the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme.
Sheikh Saud also called for a memorial to be built, with the area surrounding it to be renamed Martyrs’ Square.
As news of the memorials in UAQ were announced, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visited Ras Al Khaimah to meet some of the soldiers’ families.
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, and other officials as he paid his respects to the families of Sultan Saleh Al Shehi, Rashid Mohammed Al Shehi, Abdullah Ahmed Al Shumaili, Salem Rashid Al Shehi, Suleiman Jasim Al Balushi and Rashid Ali Al Shehi.
Among those who paid their respects to the family of Saeed Al Neyadi were Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who visited a mourning tent in Al Ain.
Sheikh Saif also visited injured soldiers at Mafraq and Zayed military hospitals in Abu Dhabi.
While officials continued to visit families, local organisations continued to offer financial support to the Yemen: We Care campaign. Damac Properties was the latest to pitch in, donating Dh1 million to the campaign’s organisers, Emirates Red Crescent.
“This donation falls within our strong belief of supporting people in need wherever they are and regardless of their nationalities, or background,” said chairman Hussain Sajwani. “Yemen: We Care represents a noble cause as do all the campaigns led by our leadership in the UAE, aiming at helping millions of Yemenis, and we hope that our humble contribution will help to ease their suffering in the current conflict.”
ERC relies on support from the community and local companies, said Mohammad Al Zarouni, head of the Dubai branch.
“Damac, through its top management represented by Mr Sajwani, was always a strong supporter for all fundraising initiatives led by the UAE Government and the Emirates Red Crescent. We rely on such positive and long-lasting partnerships between official entities, humanitarian organisations and such good personal initiatives to succeed in our efforts in helping people in need.”
Yemen: We Care was launched under the orders of President Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
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