Abu Dhabi: It is business as usual for the government and private sectors as well as educational institutions across the country as the UAE mourns its heroic martyrs, who offered the ultimate sacrifice, bringing pride and honour to the nation and defending justice, a senior official told Gulf News today.
“Flags will only be flown at half-mast along with other solemn remembrance ceremonies, prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran,” the official who wished not to be named said.
The Ministry of Presidential Affairs has announced a three-day mourning period starting on Saturday in the wake of the death of the 45 Emirati soldiers in Yemen.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ministry said that President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan mourns the death of the brave soldiers who were martyred while performing their sacred duty as part of the Arab coalition’s Operation Restoring Hope in order to defend justice and righteousness and to support those who suffer injustice.
Forty-five Emirati soldiers were martyred on Friday when their ammunition depot was targeted by a rocket in Yemen’s historic Marib province. They were taking part in Operation Restoring Hope, aimed at driving out Al Houthis militia forces and restoring the legitimate government.
The bodies of Emirati soldiers killed on duty in Yemen were brought to the UAE on Saturday on-board a military plane of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence.
The military plane carrying the coffins landed at Al Bateen airport in the capital accompanied by a group of Armed Forces officers and non-commissioned officers.
Senior Armed Forces officers held a solemn military ceremony at the airport to mark the return of the martyrs’ bodies.
The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces on Friday mourned the soldiers who were killed in the line of duty during Operation Restoring Hope, under the Saudi Arabia-led Arab alliance to support the people of Yemen and their legitimate government.
The Shaikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament, which kicked off on Friday morning, will be postponed to September 8.
Campaigning for the Federal National Council’s elections will now begin on Tuesday, as a mark of respect to the 45 Emirati soldiers martyred in Operation Restoring Hope.
Sporting events scheduled in the UAE have been postponed for the next three days. This includes the ongoing Arabian Gulf Cup matches which were initially scheduled for yesterday (Saturday). Most of the team players during the match on Friday were seen sporting black bands as a mark of respect.
The Dubai Sports Council has announced the suspension of all official and non-official sports activities for three days, as of yesterday (Saturday) Saeed Hareb, secretary-general of the council, extended his condolences to the UAE leadership, people and the martyrs’ families. The council mourns the nation’s martyrs and extended condolences to the families of martyrs.
UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation, in a statement, expressed its condolences to the families of the brave UAE soldiers and postponed Saturday’s press conference to announce the new season.
