Four Emirati soldiers martyred in Yemen helicopter crash laid to rest
Four Emirati soldiers who died in a helicopter crash in Yemen on Friday were laid to rest last night.
They were Capt Ahmed Khalifa Al Baloushi from Al Ain, First Lt Pilot Jassim Saleh Al Zaabi from Ras Al Khaimah, WO Mohammed Saeed Al Hassani from Fujairah, and WO Sameer Mohammed Murad Abu Bakr from Ajman.
They were killed in a helicopter crash due to a technical failure during “a regular mission” in Shabwa province in Yemen while taking part in the Saudi-led Operation Restoring Hope targeting Shiite rebels.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of RAK, led funeral prayers for Jassim.
And Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, performed the funeral prayer for Sameer at Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Ajman, after Maghreb prayer yesterday.
Sheikh Ammar offered his sincere condolences to the martyr’s family, praying to the Almighty Allah to bestow his mercy and eternal peace on the martyr’s soul and to grant his family the patience and solace to bear his loss.
Sameer, 30, was one of 28 brothers and sisters, and father of a boy aged 1.
He leaves behind his son, Shihab, his mother, his wife and 11 sisters and 16 brothers – the youngest of whom is 7.
“I was driving back home when I heard the news about a helicopter crash,” said his brother Suleiman, 39. “For some reason, my heart and thoughts were all about Mohammed at that specific moment, and I was repeating, ‘God protect them all’.”
Later on Friday, Suleiman received a message from the Armed Forces telling him that his brother had died.
He said that he could not tell his family but they had found out through other means.
“Messages of my brother’s passing away were circulating and they reached my sisters,”
Suleiman said. “They told my mother, who collapsed. It’s very tough at home right now. They can’t talk.”
Sameer, his wife and their son were living with his mother.
“He was the dearest to her heart and lived with her in the same house,” Suleiman said. “How could a mother take the news of her son’s death? God be with us.” Seven of his brothers are in the army.
Hassan Abdall, 50, is from the same Ajman village as Sameer – Nadi Al Shalaa – and now works with one of his brothers.
Mr Abdall, who coached Sameer as a young footballer, said the soldier had made a great sacrifice for his country and that his family should feel proud.
“We would play football with the brothers together in the street. We were one village and we are one family,” he said. “I now work with Sameer’s brother, Waleed, in Ajman Government finance, so I know him well. It is a difficult time but we are Muslim and we know he led a good life.”
Jassem, 27, was hailed as a hero to his entire family and community in Al Jazeerah, RAK.
The pilot was sent to Yemen as part of the campaign to support and restore the legitimate government to power.
“Everyone in the family was planning Jassim’s engagement,” his eldest brother Saeed said. “I am happy and proud to be the brother of a martyr – to be a brother for a man who gave his life defending the country.”
Jassim is survived by three brothers – Saeed, Obaid and Mohammed – and four sisters. His father died seven months ago.
“My brother was well respected in the family and in our town,” Saeed said. “He has left a huge gap in the family. Although we are proud that a member of a family died serving the country, we are extremely saddened by his loss.
“My family members are ready to take my brother’s path. Everyone in the family is fully prepared to perform their national duty.”
Saeed said that hearing the news of his brother’s death was the hardest and the proudest moment of his life.
Mohammed Saeed, 39, was the father of six children: Rashid, Abdul Rahman, Maryam, Saeed, Ibrahim and Abdullah. He was from a family of 10 who live in Dadna, Fujairah.
“My brother is a pride to us and to the UAE,” his brother told Aletihad newspaper. “We follow in his steps and are willing to sacrifice our lives for our country.”
His father said: “We are all willing to sacrifice our lives for the UAE, and my son the martyr has gone to heaven.”
The bodies of the servicemen arrived at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi just before 1pm yesterday and funerals took place last evening.
Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, tweeted: “Emirati men set the best example of sacrifice and devotion for the sake of their country, of bringing justice and of spreading peace. May God have mercy on the souls of our martyrs.”
At Shabwa, the scene of the crash, US air strikes have targeted Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
In June, the US military’s Central Command said a strike there killed Abu Khattab Al Awlaqi, the emir of Aqap.
The US considers the Al Qaeda faction one of the most dangerous threats to the West.
The Saudi-led coalition began its war in Yemen in March 2015 against Iranian-backed rebels who hold the capital, Sanaa.
Emirati men set the best example of sacrifice and devotion for their country, of bringing justice and of spreading peace