Abu Dhabi: The number of UAE soldiers martyred in Yemen rises to 45 after 23 more soldiers succumbed to their injuries. The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces had earlier said that 22 soldiers have died while taking part in the Saudi-led operation aimed at driving out Houthi rebels, WAM reported Friday.
The incident took place at an arms depot at a military base in the eastern province of Marib in central Yemen, near the border with Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia and a coalition of other Arab states have been fighting since March to restore to power the internationally recognised government of president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi and to repel the Iran-backed Al Houthis, who took control of the capital Sanaa in September.
Army depot targeted
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, said the army depot was targeted by surface to surface missile.
The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces extended condolences and sympathy to the families of the martyrs praying to Allah Almighty to rest their souls in peace.
At least six other Emirati soldiers have been killed in Yemen since the offensive began. The UAE soldiers’ death bring the death toll of servicemen fighting in Operation Restoring Hope to 28 since the Saudi-led coalition began the fight to restore the Yemen government and oust Al Houthi rebels who have seized control of parts of the country, including the capital of Sanaa.
UAE soldiers load their military vehicle with rockets during manoeuvres
Twenty-seven UAE soldiers have died in Yemen and in June, a non-commissioned officer was killed during a training exercise in Saudi Arabia as part of a training exercise as part of the operation.
Dr Gargash tweeted: “O Allah Almighty, may You grant them Your mercy. Our sons, the heroes, make the ultimate sacrifice for their homeland, their people. Their memory shall remain for ever.”
He added the martyrdom of our sons increases our resolve to finish the mission. “Heroes of the UAE show their gallantry. Our flag will remain high and a cowardly attack will not deter us, nor will it stops us from realising our goals.”
He emphasized that the test of Yemen and the steadfastness of the Arab coalition sends a clear Arab message of willpower and perseverance. “We will not be an easy prey or a facile target. The UAE leads the way in both action and bravery.
Dr Gargash added that the souls of our martyrs safeguard our future. “We stand by Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the entire GCC. The glory of the UAE is unshakable. I bow down to our nation and to the martyrdom of its sons. We mourn our heroes in every street, neighbourhood and city, but our flag will remain high and proud.”
Abdullah Bin Zayed receives condolences from Kerry
Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, received a phone call from John Kerry, US Secretary of State, during which he offered his condolences on the death of the 22 Emirati martyrs who took part in Operation Restoration of Hope, carried out by the Saudi-led Arab coalition.
Shaikh Abdullah thanked Kerry for the phone call and his condolences.
Five Bahraini soldiers killed in Yemen
The General Command of the Bahraini Defence Force announced that five Bahraini soldiers died while performing their national duties by participating in the defence of the Saudi Arabia’s southern border.
The martyrs are Sergeant Major Mohammad Nabil Hamad, First Sergeant Mohammad Hafedh Younis, First Sergeant Abdul Qadir Hassan Al Alas, First Sergeant Hassan Eqbal Mohammad and Corporal Abdul Moneim Ali Hussain.
Martyrs' Day
The 30th of November has been designated as Martyr’s Day in memory of and in tribute to our fallen heroes, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered on August 19.
Martyr’s Day will be a national holiday, according to the President’s order.
The martyrs “offered their lives so as to keep the UAE flag flying aloft while they were performing their national duties within and outside the country, in civilian, military and humanitarian fields,” the President’s order stated.
Shaikh Khalifa’s order aims to honour the legacy of the UAE heroes whose sacrifices have not only made the nation proud but also helped to alleviate injustice, especially in the case of our heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, in support of the Yemeni people’s struggle to regain their country back from the tyranny of the Al Houthi militia and its allies.
It highlights the fact that the UAE was built and being preserved by the sacrifices of the patriot men and women who have given their all.
TIMELINE:
Timeline of UAE soldiers killed in Yemen
Hazim Obaid Al Ali - Martyred on June 23, 2015
Non-commissioned officer Hazim Obaid Al Ali, 40, died in routine military exercises as part of the Armed Forces’ involvement in Operation Restoring Hope with the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. The serviceman had seven children, between the ages of 3 and 14.
Abdul Aziz Sarhan Saleh Al Ka’abi - Martyred on July 16, 2015
Lieutenant Abdul Aziz Sarhan Saleh Al Ka’abi, 24, martyred while performing his national duty as part of Operation Restoring Hope of the Saudi-led alliance aimed at supporting the people of Yemen and the legitimate government there.
Saif Yousuf Ahmad Al Falasi - Martyred on July 20, 2015
Non-commissioned officer Saif Yousuf Ahmad Al Falasi was killed while he was carrying out his national duty within the forces participating in Operation Restoring Hope, an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia to back the legitimate government of Yemen. Al Falasi, 35, was a father of five from Dubai.
Juma Jawhar Juma Al Hammadi - Martyred on Saturday, August 8, 2015
First Corporal Juma Jawhar Juma Al Hammadi lost his life in Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen, an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
Khalid Mohammad Abdullah Al Shehi - Martyred on Saturday, August 8, 2015
First Corporal Khalid Mohammad Abdullah Al Shehi was killed while he was carrying out his national duty within the forces participating in Operation Restoring Hope, an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia to back the legitimate government of Yemen.
Fahim Saeed Ahmad Al Habsi - Martyred on Saturday, August 8, 2015
First Corporal Fahim Saeed Ahmad Al Habsi also lost his life in Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen, an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
Abdul Rahman Ebrahim Eisa Al Beloushi Martyred on August 12, 2015
Corporal Abdul Rahman Ebrahim Eisa Al Beloushi was martyred while performing his national duty as part of the UAE forces in ‘Operation Restoring Hope’.
- Compiled by Gulf News Archives
