Dubai: Qatar says three of its soldiers have been killed while participating in Saudi-led military operations in Yemen.
It was Qatar’s biggest known loss of life in the conflict since its first reported ground deployment there last September.
Qatar has sent around 1,000 ground troops to Yemen, Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported in September, the country’s first reported involvement in the Saudi-backed offensive.
The Qatari military said the deaths occurred on Monday but did not provide any details. The military statement, carried by the official Qatar News Agency, identified the three killed soldiers as Mohammad Awad Salim, Mohammad Dawood Khayal and Mohammad Nasser Mohammad.
Dr Anwar Bin Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, has said that the UAE offers condolences to Qatar on the martyrdom of three of its soldiers in the line of duty in Yemen.
On his Twitter account, Dr. Gargash said, “Today, our hearts are with Doha, we offer our condolences on the death of martyrs of Qatar who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their country and nation, while on duty as part of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition force Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen.”
Yemen’s conflict pits the internationally recognised government and the Saudi-led military coalition against Al Houthi rebels and forces loyal to a former president.
The Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes against the Houthis and their allies since March 2015. Meanwhile, a UAE aid ship unloaded at the Port of Al Mukalla in Yemen on Monday, bringing a shipment of spare parts, filters and fuel oil to run electric generators on the coast of Hadramout, which is facing repeated power outages.
Provided by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), the emergency energy assistance came within the UAE’s efforts to address frequent power disruptions in the area due to the deterioration in the electricity network.
Head of the Emirati Relief Team in Hadramout Matar Al Ketbi said the shipment is aimed at maintaining central power generators, as well as dilapidated power stations in the different districts of Hadramout.
Yemeni officials appreciated the vital role being played by the ERC to improve the power supply in the area. They said the latest assistance would ease suffering of the local population.
