ABU DHABI // Rulers on Sunday travelled across the country to join the families of Emirati heroes in their mourning.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, extended his sympathy in visits to the families of the fallen soldiers from Operation Restore Hope, the Arab coalition supporting the people of Yemen and their legitimate government.
“Their sacrifice will always remain etched in the hearts and minds of the leadership and people of the UAE, and in the record of honour of our Armed Forces,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, offered condolences to the families of servicemen Sultan Obeid Al Kaabi and Abdullah Saeed Al Kalbani at the mourning majlis in Masfout, Ajman.
They shared their sorrow with the families of martyrs Hamed Mohammed Al Balouchi and Mohammed Ismail Yousef in the Sharjah enclave of Kalba.
In Fujairah, Sheikh Mohammed expressed his deep sympathy to the family of martyr Jasim Saeed Al Saadi in Marbah, and in Dibba he comforted relatives of Waleed Ahmed Al Dhanhani and Khalifa Abdullah Al Saredi.
He sat with the families of Mohammed Saeed Al Saredi in Wadi Al Seder, and of Khalifa Mohammed Al Yamahi and Rashid Saeed Al Yamahi in Towbin.
Sheikh Mohammed also travelled to Ras Al Khaimah, where he expressed his regrets to relatives of Obeid Saeed Al Mazrouie.
He told the families of martyrs of the pride he, the other leaders and the people found in the martyrs’ sacrifice and devotion.
They had answered the nation’s call and offered their lives on the battlefield to defend right and justice, establishing peace and stability in Yemen and the region, Sheikh Mohammed said.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also visited families of the martyred soldiers.
“Our martyrs, who are symbols of dignity, glory and pride of our people and nation, sacrificed their lives to keep the UAE flag high in the fields of heroism and duty,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“Gallant defenders of the nation from our Armed Forces will always remain, as we expected, the protective shield and fortified fortress of this generous nation, advocates of right and justice, and supporters of the brothers.
“The reverence and pride we hold in our hearts towards our martyrs should spur us to inspire determination, will and resolve from their sacrifices,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He expressed his sincerest sympathy in a visit to Sharjah, where he met the families of Walid Muhammad Ali Al Yasi, Ahmad Ghulam Abdul Karim Lingawi in Nouf, and Yousef Hassan Yousef Alobaidly in Tarfana.
Sheikha Fatima, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, expressed her sympathies to the families of martyrs and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to restore hope to the people of Yemen, for whom the 45 soldiers had laid down their lives.
“Known by its charitable works and humanitarian duty, the UAE offers a helping hand to everyone in need, regardless of religion, race or colour, because its criteria are purely humanitarian and its ultimate goal is doing good for all,” Sheikha Fatima said.
She has directed the a delegation to visit the bereaved families, pass on her condolences and ensure the help of the FDF if needed.
The FDF’s hall’s in Abu Dhabi will also be named after the martyrs, Sheikha Fatima said.
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, joined mourning families in Al Ain. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Chief of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, paid his respects at mourning tents in Baniyas and Shahama.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State, paid a glowing tribute to the soldiers who fell in the line of duty and offered his condolences to their families.
“We are proud of Emirati sons who do not hesitate to sacrifice their lives in service of the homeland and the leadership. We pray to the Almighty Allah to grant their souls mercy and rest in Paradise, and bestow patience and solace upon their families,” he said.
“Our martyrs alongside their brothers, the Saudi martyrs, have offered their pure blood to support the sisterly state of Yemen and restore the legitimacy so that the people of Yemen live in freedom and dignity in the light of national sovereignty and legitimacy.
“This incident will strengthen our determination on the continuation of diligent efforts to achieve the goals of the Arab coalition in Yemen, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” He underlined the cohesion of the people of the UAE with the leadership to extend a helping hand and provide the humanitarian aid to the people of Yemen, citing the coincidence of the martyrdom of Emirati servicemen with “Yemen: We Care” campaign, which was receiving a huge response in a way that reflected the love for philanthropy and support of Arab and Islamic causes in the UAE.
Meanwhile, at Zayed University, Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development and President of ZU, said the soldiers’ sacrifices paved the way to fulfil and uphold the values and rights of Yemenis, and to continue humanitarian work there.
“Today, across the UAE, we have prayed to Allah the Almighty to rest the souls of the Emirati martyrs, who fell in the line of their national duty and, while taking part in the Arab Coalition’s Operation Restoring Hope, sacrificed their lives to uphold and restore the legitimacy in Yemen and defend the oppressed,” said Sheikha Lubna.
Emiratis and expatriates also expressed their sorrow, with heartfelt messages on social media offering support and prayers for the families of the fallen.
“It is heartbreaking to hear this and a great loss for the UAE,” Fatima Suhail posted on Facebook.
“However, the families of these soldiers who died while serving their country and embraced martyrdom should be proud of them. Their deaths were those of heroes. My sincere condolences to their families.”
In another Facebook comment, Kennedy Prakash said: “The nation lost their soldiers, on service at war, a sacrifice for the nation, but these soldiers are now living in each and every house of the UAE.”
Emirati Ahmed Saeed, 25, echoed the sentiment. “It is a very sad time but the solders have sacrificed their lives for their country. Inshallah, they rest in peace and made their families proud.”
His compatriot Mohammed Al Mazroi, 29, said the country would always remember the valour and true patriotism of the soldiers.
Khalid Al Marzooqi posted on Twitter: “The Emirati blood has mixed with the Yemeni soil and pure souls that have become a part of the Arab land to achieve victory to the religion, homeland and duty.”
Mohammed Al Marzouqi tweeted: “Your passing has bled our hearts, teared our eyes and shattered our souls greatly. Mercy, glory and pride to you.”
Suzanne Shanks joined scores of residents in offering support.
“I am neither Emirati nor Muslim yet, as a thankful guest here and a citizen of the world, I send my condolences to all the extended families of these brave ones who sacrificed it all for Yemen and the world.
“May God bless them and the UAE.”
arizvi2@thenational.ae
