191201 Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Image Credit: WAM

Dubai: The UAE will celebrate on Sunday the UAE Armed Forces heroes’ participation in the Arab coalition in Yemen, UAE leaders said on Saturday.

“Greetings to the children of the homeland returning from the land of Yemen, they participated with their brothers in the coalition forces in a mission to restore hope and consolidate the security of the region,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said on his Twitter account.

Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid added they [the UAE heroes] contributed to humanitarian work in 22 governorates that benefited millions of families, and contributed to building huge development projects in the governorates of Yemen. "Welcome to the homeland...They are the protectors of the Union,” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said: “We send greetings of appreciation and honour to our soldiers and the people of our homeland, as we celebrate tomorrow [Sunday] their participation in the national and humanitarian mission within the Arab coalition in Yemen.”

“As we have known them, through their sacrifices and their courage they sow goodness and spread hope ... a hand that protects and another that builds, and, God willing, we will remain supporters to our [Yemeni] brothers in safeguarding the security of our region and its stability.”

He added: “Tomorrow is an exceptionally proud day for the UAE as we celebrate and honor our heroes for their participation in the Arab coalition in Yemen. On behalf of the whole nation we are grateful for your service and your sacrifice. You truly are the embodiment of the spirit of the UAE.”

Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said the national celebration of the return of our armed forces is a due honour from the homeland of loyalty to its children.

“The UAE celebrates its loyal falcons and appreciates their sacrifices and their manly performance, an order of acknowledgment, loyalty from a great people and great leadership,” Gargash said on his twitter account.

Gargash added, “You are our shield and spear, and the army of dignity and gallantry .. We are proud of you.”

The UAE is part of a Saudi-led Arab military coalition that has been fighting the Iran-allied Al Houthi rebels in Yemen since March 2015.

– With inputs from Tawfiq Nasrallah, Translator, and WAM