Dubai/Abu Dhabi: The second batch of UAE Armed Forces soldiers are preparing to perform their new duties in Yemen as part of the Saudi-led Arab coalition.
The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces said that the rotation of soldiers will see the first batch replaced by another as part of Operation Restoring Hope.
The rotation comes following many victories, such as the historic liberation of Marib and retaking the Marib dam, which was rebuilt by Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Speaking to Gulf News about UAE troops’ participation in Operation Restoring Hope, Emiratis said that the UAE continues to lead by example when it comes to “Arab unity”, as it stayed hand in hand with Yemen. The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces on Monday announced that the first batch of brave Emirati soldiers will be replaced by the second group of soldiers.
Emiratis said the UAE soldiers will receive a hero’s welcome once they are back from fulfilling their national duty.
Highlighting the importance of standing in solidarity with your neighbour in need, Maryam Al Zaabi, 58, a consultant at the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), said: “The UAE army, who made us all exceptionally proud, did not only fight for Yemen. They fought for themselves. Whether it’s Kuwait, Yemen or Saudi Arabia, we are all considered one country.”
“The UAE armed forces represented our religion of Islam in the greatest way possible. At the end of the day, we are all fighting towards the same goal, towards the victory of Islam.”
“Islam accentuated the importance of Arab unity and standing together through ups and downs, through life’s brightest moments and its gloomiest days. I couldn’t be more proud of them and I would like to seize this opportunity to ask Allah Almighty to save the world from political turmoil and fill people’s lives with happiness, peace and security,” she said.
Hanan Al Marzouqi, a 21-year-old university student, said even though she feels honoured to be part of a country that saw dozens of soldiers sacrificing their lives in Yemen, one cannot help but be saddened by their loss. “However, bidding life farewell as a martyr is the best reward possible. These martyrs have been laid to rest but will forever remain with us in spirit. May they all land in paradise and may God grant their families the solace and serenity to help them cope with their loss.”
Meanwhile, Mohammad Al Barkani, a 19-year-old university student, said that the abundance of sacrifices that the UAE soldiers have made have inspired him to join the army one day and fight acts of injustice and inhumanity. “They are our source of pride and truly proved how reliable and faithful the UAE citizens are. Their acts are the true definition of Arab unity.”
“Once I am done with my university degree, I intend to join the UAE army to build on their crowning achievements and represent the UAE and the Arab world in the best way possible,” Al Barkani added.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mohammad Al Qubaisi, a 42 year-old business owner, said that despite the fact that he was never with the army in Yemen, they were always in his prayers.
“I want to congratulate them on allowing us to hold our heads high. I want to tell them that even though we were not with them, we were always keeping them in our prayers.”
“I hope that one day I will be granted with the opportunity to join the UAE army and fight for such a great cause.”
Meanwhile, Abdullah Al Ali, who works in the banking sector, said: “God willing they will come back safely with their heads held high.”
Al Ali said rotating the troops is good news for their families who probably have missed them immensely. “They were ready to sacrifice their lives and there was a possibility that they would die fighting the rebels, so having them return to their families in one piece must be a relief,” he said.
Zayed University student Hessa Al Saeed said that the soldiers are going to be welcomed like heroes.
“They are in fact real-life heroes and so will be treated like that way once they are back. I wish them a safe return so that they can be reunited with their families. I also hope that the next batch of soldiers who will be leaving for Yemen will return safely to the country as well as once they are done with fulfilling their national duty,” she said.
Hessa, whose brother is planning to join the national service, said that she has a sense of what the troop’s family are feeling.
“Although he won’t be stationed in Yemen, I still worry about him a lot. I understand that the families of the troops were ten times more anxious than me and are very excited and happy to finally see their sons return,” she said.
Another Emirati, Asma Salem, said she is very proud of the troops, those who are coming back and the others who are about to leave.
“It is good news for their families who will be finally reunited with their children. It is also good news for families who will send their children to fight for our country. Our troops are our pride and our identity,” she said.
Maisoon Mubarak is a trainee at Gulf News.
