ABU DHABI // The last of the Emirati soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending the people of Yemen arrived home on Saturday, bringing the total number killed to 52.
The servicemen died alongside Saudi Arabian and Bahraini troops when a missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels hit an arms depot in Marib province nine days ago.
Their bodies were received in a ceremony at Al Bateen Airport, attended by senior Armed Forces officers, after the identification process was completed in Saudi Arabia.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, performed funeral prayers for six of the fallen heroes at Sheikh Zayed Mosque on Saturday.
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the emirate’s Crown Prince, performed funeral prayers for returned hero Fahad Ali Al Balushi.
The soldiers died when a rocket attack at dawn on September 4 on an ammunition store for the 107th Brigade caused several explosions that resulted in the deaths of Emirati, Yemeni and Bahraini soldiers.
The Government declared a three-day period of mourning for the servicemen killed in Yemen.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
