Mourners attend funeral of serviceman Saeed Anbar Juma Al Falasi

Al Falasi died from wounds sustained while participating in the Saudi-led coalition’s efforts in Yemen.

Family and friends carry the body of Al Falasi, 30, who was receiving treatment in Paris at the time of his death. Satish Kumar / The National

DUBAI // Scores of mourners and family members attended the funeral of serviceman Saeed Anbar Juma Al Falasi, who died from wounds sustained while participating in the Saudi-led coalition’s efforts in Yemen.

Al Falasi had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Paris, France.

Anbar Al Falasi, his wheelchair-bound father, a UAE flag neatly folded in his lap, watched as his son was laid to rest.

The 30-year-old lance corporal had five sisters and a brother.

He was father to three-year-old Hamad.

His step-brother, Omar Muslim, travelled from Oman to attend the funeral.

“We were shocked when we received the news of his death. We knew of his injuries but didn’t expect this to happen. I came from Oman to stand alongside my brothers in this difficult time.”

He said Al Falasi was loving and caring towards to his sisters and parents.

“Saeed was a man that you could not get bored of, wherever he was there was laughter and good times. He is a true example of Emirati men who loved their country and was proud to serve in the Armed Forces,” said the 41-year-old.

Khalifah Yousef, who is married to a sister of the serviceman, was overcome by grief as he watched Al Falasi’s body being laid to rest.

“I can’t express the sadness at losing Saeed, he was a great man with great deeds,” said the 38-year-old.

“The martyr sustained injuries and was then transferred to the capital to receive treatment before he was taken to Paris.

“His parents were really sad and worried for his health while he was in Paris.”

Funeral prayers were held in Qurtoba Mosque in Dubai before his body was laid to rest in Al Quoz Cemetery.

“His parents are sad to lose their son, and the serviceman’s three-year-old son will be raised without a father,” said Mr Yousef, a Ministry of Defence employee.

Staff Corp Abdullah Al Katbi came with a group of servicemen to pay their respects to the family.

“I never met him, but he is my brother in arms. He is a martyr and we should show our solidarity with our Emirati brothers,” said the soldier, who travelled from Al Madam in Sharjah.