Abu Dhabi: Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, has paid rich tribute to the nation’s martyrs who fell while carrying out their duties with the Arab Coalition’s “Operation Restoring Hope,” led by Saudi Arabia to back the legitimate government in Yemen.
In a speech issued yesterday, Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak revealed that the Emirati chopper was targeted in Al Qaida-controlled area of Shabwah Governorate, an area that is beyond the control of the Saudi-led coalition. The chopper then malfunctioned, leading to its crash and claiming the lives of the Emirati heroes.
“And what most people don’t realise is that the chopper had to make an emergency landing and slammed into the ground. It was carrying on-board an elite group of Emirati soldiers, some of whom were from Al Nahyan family such as Shaikh Zayed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan who got injured in the helicopter crash,” Shaikh Nahyan said
It is noteworthy that Shaikh Dhiyab Bin Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saud Al Qasimi were also injured in the wanton attack on the Emirati camp last year, which resulted in the martyrdom of a number of Emirati soldiers, he added.
Role model
“We are very proud that Shaikh Zayed Bin Hamdan has magnificently participated in serving his country. He is a role model in the national service. He was joined by a number of soldiers from the UAE ruling families including Shaikh Diab Bin Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Diab Bin Khalifa Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Mohammad Bin Sorour Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Shakhbout Bin Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and Ahmad Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi,” Shaikh Nahyan further said.
This clearly indicates that all Emirati sons including those of the ruling families represent — in their unity — the firm principles established by the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Their participation in the Operation Restoring Hope is indeed a new evidence that the UAE sons are united and that the ruling families’ sons meet the nation’s call with determination like any other Emiratis, he underscored.
