Thousands bid farewell to martyr in Al Ain

Abu Dhabi: The UAE bid farewell to martyr Hamoud Ali Saleh Al Ameri with thousands of people gathering on Saturday at the Martyrs’ Mosque in Al Ain after Al Dhuhur prayers to attend funeral prayers for the brave soldier.

Al Ameri died on Friday in Germany, where he had been receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the line of duty in Yemen as part of UAE forces participating in the Saudi-led Arab coalition’s Operation Restoring Hope.

A special military ceremony attended by senior armed forces’ officers was held on Saturday morning in honour of Al Ameri. A military helicopter then took off to Al Ain city with the martyr’s body.

Martyr Al Ameri was mourned by the General Command of the Armed Forces on Friday. He was later laid to rest in Al Fawa graveyard on Saturday following funeral prayers at the Martyrs’ Mosque in Al Ain.

A mourning tent was also set up in Al Yahar, which is 30 kilometres away from Al Ain, and witnessed huge crowds queuing up to pay tributes to Al Ameri, the 70th UAE soldier to be martyred in Yemen.

The General Headquarters of the UAE Armed Forces expressed their condolences to the family of the martyr and expressed their prayerful wishes that Allah Almighty would grant them the serenity and strength to withstand the tragic loss.

Mohammad Ahmad Al Ameri, the martyr’s cousin, told Gulf News that he and his family members were filled with sorror when they were first informed about Hamoud’s death but eventually came to terms with his loss. “Hamoud was one of the injured soldiers from the Armed Forces who was performing his call of duty in Marib, Yemen. On September 9, he was moved to Saudi Arabia and was later sent to Germany for medical treatment. His family members were present with the exception of his three brothers, Nasser, Ahmad and Musallam, who couldn’t be there, yet were always in touch with him to make sure that he was in a proper medical state.

“He never told his parents that he was going to Yemen. He only told them that he was going to be at the borders of Saudi Arabia, just for them to not get worried, particularly his mother. As soon as he reached Yemen, he called them to confront them with the truth. He was always in touch with them, at least once a day, to reassure them that he was doing well,” the cousin added.

The 29-year old martyr was married with two children, Wadeema, who is six and Mohammad, who is three. He also leaves behind three brothers and two sisters.

Hamoud was remembered as a very obedient son, with a very down-to-earth disposition. Mohammad added that he was very helpful person and ever ready to extend assistance to people in need, regardless of their background. “He used to also tip cleaners on the street with whatever money he had,” he recalled.

Mohammad said it made him proud to have Hamoud as a brother since he had sacrificed his own life for the sake of the Yemeni people and to restore their happiness and security and faith in humanity.

Salem Nasser Al Sa’ad Al Ameri, another cousin of Hamoud who works for the Ministry of Interior, said that Hamoud was synonymous with bravery and loyalty but was gentle and respectful to all around him all the same.

“I saw him a few moments before he travelled to Yemen and asked him: Are you going there to expel the Houthi rebels? He responded to me saying: And is there a better reward than following our leadership’s commands and fighting to bring back peace to Yemen again?”

“I pray to God that may his soul rest in peace along with all the other heroes,” he added.

— Maisoon Mubarak is a trainee at Gulf News.