UAE forces who were killed in Somalia are repatriated
The bodies of four members of the UAE Armed Forces killed in a terrorist attack in Somalia were repatriated yesterday.
An officer from the Bahrain Defence Force also died in the attack.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defence initially said three Emirati officers were killed and two other military personnel injured on Saturday.
A fourth member had died on return to the Emirates from injuries sustained in the incident, the ministry said yesterday.
It said the bodies of the four men were repatriated to Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi yesterday morning.
They were named as staff warrant officers Mohamed Al Shamsi and Khalifa Al Balushi, Cpl Suleiman Al Shehh and Brig Mohamed Al Mansouri.
The ministry extended condolences to the families of the victims.
It said the military personnel, who were in Somalia to train Somali armed forces, were killed while undertaking their duties as part of an agreement between the two countries.
The ministry said that the UAE and the Somali government were co-operating to investigate the attack.
A gunman was also shot dead at the Gordon military base, Reuters reported.
“The soldier opened fire on the UAE trainers and Somali military officials when they started praying,” an officer said.
“Four UAE officers were injured while four Somali soldiers died.”
Extremist group Al Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack, its Radio Al Andalus station said.
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, performed funeral prayers for Mr Al Balushi at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in the emirate yesterday.
Several sheikhs, government officials and members of the community also paid their respects.
Mr Al Balushi was laid to rest at Ajman Cemetery Jurf, state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Humaid and Sheikh Ammar extended their deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of the officer.
The bodies of three members of the UAE armed forces killed in a terrorist attack in Somalia arrive at Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi yesterday. A fourth officer died of his injuries