The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces announced on Saturday the death of Emirati serviceman Mohammed Rashid Ali Al Dhanhani in Yemen. He died when the military vehicle he was travelling in overturned according to state news agency, WAM.
The 24-year-old died while participating in the Saudi-led Arab coalition’s ‘Operation Restoring Hope’ in Yemen.
The deceased’s father and rest of the family gathered at their home in Fujairah where mourners started to pay their respects while arrangements were being made for his funeral.
“My son is a sacrifice for the love of this great country and that’s the greatest gift you can give,” he told mourners.
The deceased’s brother Hamdan was distraught to hear the news of his brother’s death but said that he received the news with great pride in their hometown of Qidfa.
“We heard the news earlier this morning and our currently making arrangements for the funeral but we are touched by the outpouring of love and support we are receiving from the community and the armed forces,” he said.
Al Dhanhani’s uncle shared similar sentiments of pride in his young nephew’s sacrifice.
“We are proud of him and his sacrifice. It’s a badge of honour that we carry on our chests,” said Mohammed Rashid Al Dhanhani, the deceased’s uncle.
“He was extremely patriotic and loving of his country and its leaders,” he concluded.
nalremeithi@thenational.ae
This story has been updated to reflect a change in the spelling of the soldier’s name.
