ADEN // Hundreds of Yemenis took part in a silent sit-in in Aden on Thursday evening to protest the killing of an Emirati serviceman.
The demonstration took place at the Caltex roundabout in the southern city’s Al Mansoura district – the same area where Captain Hadif Humaid Al Shamsi was shot dead by unknown gunmen on Saturday as he guarded Emirates Red Crescent workers.
The protest “aimed to thank the Emirates for its efforts in Yemen and to denounce the terrorist incidents in Aden,” said Jamal Al Khalaki, a resident of Aden and head of the #ThankYouUAE campaign.
Mr Al Khalaki said that Aden is a place of peace, and that its residents are grateful for the UAE’s work in rehabilitating the city.
Several civil society organisations took part in the sit-in, with protesters flying the UAE flag, along with banners bearing slogans of solidarity with the Emirates.
Nadia Al Aghbari, undersecretary of the Yemen's Women Union, told The National she took part in the demonstration to show that Yemeni women would support the UAE in both its military efforts in the country, and its work in rebuilding areas damaged or destroyed by the fighting.
“I came to the sit-in as I am very sad about the assassination of Al Shamsi,” she said. “We want to send a message to the family of Al Shamsi and tell them that we are sad for them as we consider him as one of our men.”
The killing of Capt Al Shamsi came two weeks after a series of suicide bombings targeted a building used as a base for the Emirates Red Crescent in Aden, along with the hotel housing Yemen’s government. The attacks – which killed 15 soldiers belonging to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, including four Emiratis – were carried out by a group claiming to be an affiliate of ISIL.
Wael Salem, a 22-year-old university student who took part in the sit-in, said that Aden’s residents did not support terrorism and would “sacrifice their souls” to prevent “terrorists” from entering the city.
Yemen is home to several extremist groups, including Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has taken advantage of the conflict to make territorial gains in the country. The group has seized large parts of Hadramawt province, including its capital, Mukalla.
As part of efforts to campaign against extremism, a play was performed at the sit-in to warn youth about the dangers of groups such as AQAP.
Ms Al Aghbari also said the Women’s Union was working to warn women in Aden about the dangers of Al Qaeda, and that they “should be alert about protecting their children from joining extremist groups”.
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
