ABU DHABI // The country’s leaders continued to offer condolences on Sunday to the families of the 52 brave servicemen killed in Yemen while performing their national duties.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, opened Sunday’s Cabinet session with a minute’s silence for those who fell while taking part in the Arab Coalition’s Operation Restoring Hope.
Cabinet offered its condolences to the people of the UAE, state news agency Wam reported.
“We offer condolences to ourselves, both the Government and the people of the UAE, on the martyrdom of 52 of our brave soldiers who have ascended to Paradise to write the new history of the UAE,” the ministers said.
Sheikh Mohammed, accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, travelled to Ajman to pay respects to the family of Fahad Ali Mohammed Ahmed, one of the fallen soldiers. Sheikh Mohammed also visited families in Sharjah and Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, met the families of Saeed Rashid Al Neyadi in Al Ain, and Jamal Majed Al Muhairi and Khalifa Bader Jawher, in Sharjah. He also visited families of fallen heroes in Dubai.
“We will always remember, as long as we live, the sacrifices of our martyrs,” he said. “We will hold our heads high because of their heroism, steadfastness and bravery which will provide eternal lessons in sacrifice and courage that the coming generations will be proud of over the years.”
Also in Al Ain was Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, who visited the mourning tent for Lt Saeed Rashid Al Neyadi.
He also travelled to the Mafraq and Zayed Military hospitals in Abu Dhabi, where he visited injured soldiers and wished them a swift recovery.
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, met the family of another of the soldiers, Fahad Al Bloushi.
They prayed to Allah to “bestow his mercy on the martyrs and place them in paradise and grant their families the patience and solace to bear the loss”.
In Fujairah, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of the emirate, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, its Crown Prince, visited the mourning majlises of Rashid Mohammed Abbas Al Baloushi, Rashid Nasser Al Zaabi, Hassan Mohammed Al Tunaiji, Saif Eisa Obaid Al Naqbi and Saud Mohammed Al Saadi.
Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum, wife of the Dubai Ruler, said the fallen soldiers had made the country proud.
“Our brave solders set a unique example. They displayed tremendous courage and strength in the line of duty,” Sheikha Hind said.
“History will remember the sacrifices of our heroes.”
The UAE soldiers, along with Saudi Arabian and Bahraini troops, died on September 4 during a rocket attack by Houthi rebels on an ammunition store.
In honour of the heroes, the road linking Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah has been renamed Martyrs Street, under a directive of Sheikh Hamad and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of RAK.
The renaming is “a tribute to the acts of courage and sacrifice which the martyred Emirati servicemen embodied”, Wam said.
The ceremony for Martyrs Street, or Shuhada Street in Arabic, was attended by officials from both emirates.
On Saturday, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the National Media Council, said the attack had provided the outside world with a glimpse of the relationship between the nation’s leaders and its people.
Dr Al Jaber told Abu Dhabi TV about the initiative of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in setting up a martyrs’ families affairs office.
He said the office was set up to provide families with all aspects of support, care and attention.
Dr Al Jaber also commended the media’s coverage, saying it reflected the “pulse of UAE society”.
The announcement of the details of the Yasalam festival programme, which runs in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, has also been postponed. It was due to be announced on Tuesday but will be not be revealed until after the mourning period.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
