FUJAIRAH // Both the wives of the two pilots killed when their military helicopter crashed in Yemen on Monday were pregnant.
Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, a 34-year-old father of twins, and Abdullah Al Yamahi, 26, who was to become a father for the first time, were taking part in the Saudi-led Arab coalition’s Operation Restoring Hope when their helicopter crashed.
Their bodies arrived to a military reception at Abu Dhabi Executive Airport, Al Bateen on Tuesday, according to UAE state news agency Wam.
Abdullah, from Marbad, near Masafi, was married last year and his wife is due to give birth next month. He had four brothers and five sisters.
Ahmed’s wife is expecting their third child. They have six-year-old twins, a boy and a girl.
Abdullah’s eldest brother, Ali Al Yamahi, 31, said: “We will miss his smile and kind heart. He was loved by everyone, especially our parents. He used to take care of them and they were his priority, and now he has became our source of pride and honour.
“His absence will break our hearts, but he is a martyr now and will be in a better place.”
Abdullah graduated from Khalifa bin Zayed Air College four years ago. His family last saw him on June 6, the first day of Ramadan, and he was always in contact with them. “He is the son of the UAE, he died while serving the country and while doing the thing he wanted most, being a pilot,” said Mohammed Al Yamahi, his 60-year-old father.
“He contacted me using WhatsApp on Monday, as usual, to check on me and on his mother before he took off. He was excited to spend Eid Al Fitr with us and with his newborn, but now he will celebrate Eid in Heaven.
“The country raised him and took care of his education, fulfilled his dream and was the reason he became a pilot who sacrificed his life for the sake of the country. This is his and our responsibility towards the nation and we are so proud of him.”
“He took a piece of my heart with him and he will be truly missed,” Mr Al Yamahi said.
Ahmed’s family, from Al Halat in Fujairah, not far from where he was brought up, took solace in the fact that he died serving his country during Ramadan.
“He was expecting a third child. His wife is pregnant and is in her seventh month,” said Ahmed’s brother, Khalid.
“His children were his biggest priority and concern. He stressed that every time we spoke over the phone.
“His last phone call was made to his wife the day before he died. He was a dutiful family man, always checking on them.”
Ahmed was the eldest of nine siblings. “He’s my big brother. He played a big part in our life. He worked hard to make us independent, to lead a happy, stable life, all of us,” said Khalid.
His father, Mohamed, said it was his son’s dream to be a pilot. “He was obsessed with aviation and had wanted to join the military since he was a child,” said Mr Al Zeyoudi, who is a retired army officer.
The family took pride in Ahmed’s achievements. He was an exemplary student who graduated from Khalifa bin Zayed Air College.
“My son died restoring legitimacy, serving his country and helping the oppressed. He gave his life for the greatest of values and we are all honoured for his sacrifice,” Mr Al Zeyoudi said.
rhaza@thenational.ae
nalremeithi@thenational.ae
