A street on Al Reem Island has been named after an Emirati soldier who was killed fighting in Yemen.
Father-of-two, Sergeant Ali Khalifa Hashel Al Mesmari, who was 29, died in February during Operation Restoring Hope.
He was among the first soldiers to be deployed in Yemen and fought alongside his brother, Naseb Al Mesmari, 25.
Al Mesmari, who was father to Fatima, 4, and Khalifa, 2, was described as a "loving and caring person with a wonderful personality" by family and friends.
A plaque with Al Mesmari’s name was unveiled on Reem on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoun, director of the Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court; Falah Al Ahbabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities; and Saif Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi City Municipality, along with several members of Al Mesmari’s family and Armed Forces colleagues.
"We stand today with pride, honour and reverence for the sacrifices of our brave martyrs, who answered their nation’s call of duty and were brave in defending right and justice and protecting the aggrieved," said Mr Al Ahbabi.
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Sheikh Khalifa said the soldiers of the UAE Armed Forces have displayed the highest form of bravery and heroism, and deserve to be always remembered, he said.
He also praised the willingness to issue and adopt further initiatives that aim to “immortalise the memory” of other soldiers who die in battle.
Khalifa Al Mesmari, Al Mesmari’s father, thanked President Sheikh Khalifa, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the leadership for their “humanitarian and patriotic support” of families like his own.
Al Mesmari’s father said naming the country’s streets after martyrs is a source of pride for their families, and a mark of appreciation by the leadership for the sacrifice they made.
Large crowds attended the funeral of Al Mesmari in gathered at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Fujairah in February. He had five brothers, three sisters.
“It’s heartbreaking to lose such a loving and caring person, but he brought the family pride and honour in his sacrifice while serving and defending our country, and we are all willing to do the same,” said his cousin, Amira Al Mesmari, 33, at the time of his death.
