A member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family who was injured in a helicopter crash in Yemen has returned to the UAE after months of medical treatment in Germany.
Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, 27, was injured in a helicopter crash in Yemen's Shabwa province in August last year, where the UAE is leading efforts to combat Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Two other Emirati soldiers were also injured in the crash, while four were killed.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, payed tribute to Sheikh Zayed's return.
"The UAE, its people, and its leaders rejoice at the return of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan to the homeland," Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.
"The pride of the Emirates youth and the descendent of their glory. The namesake of its founder and the best of those who represent the bravery and manliness of its noble soldiers."
فرحت الامارات وشعبها وقادتها اليوم بعودة زايد بن حمدان لأرض الوطن ... فخر شباب الامارات .. وسليل مجدها .. وسَميْ مؤسسها .. وخير من يمثل شجاعة ورجولة جنودها البواسل pic.twitter.com/hEXcLi0tCH
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 17, 2018
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also took to Twitter.
"Every time the challenges become greater the sons of Zayed meet them," he said. "They are proud to heed the call of their country. The battlefields are witnesses to their sacrifice and Zayed bin Hamdan is one of the Emirates' noble heroes.
"His comrades on the fields of honour are the best of the Emirati youth in effort and giving. We raise our heads with pride in them. There is no fear for a nation that has their like."
كلما زادت التحديات .. برهن أبناء زايد انهم أهل لمواجهتها.. ويتشرفون بتلبية نداء وطنهم .. وتشهد ميادين الواجب بتضحياتهم..
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) February 17, 2018
وزايد بن حمدان أحد أبطال الإمارات البواسل، ورفاقه في ساحات الشرف هم خيرة شباب الامارات في البذل والعطاء.. نرفع هاماتنا فخرا بهم.. ولا خوف على وطن يضم أمثالهم pic.twitter.com/x8f1EUAEq2
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[ Funerals for four UAE soldiers killed in Yemen helicopter crash held ]
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In another tweet, the Crown Prince said: "We are all happy with the return of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan to the homeland in good health.
"We pray to God to protect our sons in service and to make them victorious, and that he grants the injured a quick recovery. We pray that our martyrs rest in peace and mercy."
Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan is grandson of the country's Founding Father and was serving in the elite Presidential Guard when he was injured. He attended the prestigious Royal Military College of Sandhurst in the UK in 2009 before joining the UAE Armed Forces.
#Dubai’s @BurjKhalifa lights up with a photo of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan who returned home to the #UAE after successful medical treatment abroad pic.twitter.com/46bUR4H2MQ
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 17, 2018
The Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai was lit with the hashtag "Welcome Zayed bin Hamdan", while in Abu Dhabi the Adnoc building was also illuminated with images celebrating the royal's return.
One image showed Sheikh Hamdan in military fatigues while another carried the words "Welcome Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan".