Emirati serviceman killed

The General Command of UAE Armed Forces announced that Saif Youssef Ahmed Al Falasi, died while performing his national duty as part of the UAE Armed Forces’ participation in Operation Restoring Hope.

A family member holds a photo of Saif Yousuf Ahmad Al Falasi in his Dubai residence, the Emirati officer who was killed in Yemen. Afsal Sham / Al Ittihad

ABU DHABI // An Emirati non-commissioned officer involved in the conflict in Yemen was killed on Tuesday morning.

Father of five Saif Youssef Ahmed Al Falasi, 35, died while performing his duty as part of the forces’ participation in Operation Restoring Hope, the General Command of Armed Forces announced.

The operation, led by Saudi Arabia, is intended to support the legitimate, exiled government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in Yemen.

Thousands of people took to Twitter to offer their condolences to the UAE and Al Falasi family using the Arabic hashtag #Martyr_Emirates_Saif_AlFalasi, which was the top trending tweet in the country on Tuesday.

Among those offering their condolences on Twitter was Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Foreign Minister. He tweeted: “#Martyr_Emirates_Saif_AlFalasi has sacrificed himself to defend the rights of Arabs, may he rest in peace. my condolences to his family.”

Lt Gen Dhahi Khalfan, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, said: “May Saif Al Falasi’s soul rest in peace. Condolences to his parents and relatives. To God we belong, and to God we shall return.”

Prayers over the body are to be held on Tuesday following evening prayers at the Alia Sultan Lootah Mosque in Al Warqa 4, Dubai, with the burial at Al Qusais cemetery.

The General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments also expressed its condolences and its feelings of pride to the UAE leadership and Armed Forces after Al Falasi’s death.

Head of the authority Dr Mohammed Mattar Al Kaabi said: “In these difficult times for Yemen, which are a source of concern to our nations and societies, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments confirms its steadfast commitment to religious precepts and the values associated with martyrdom and the elevated standing of martyrs before Allah and in the memory of the nation and future generations.”

The death is the second in recent days after Lt Abdul Aziz Sarhan Saleh Al Ka'abi, from Al Ain, died while serving as part of the operation late last week.

Last month non-commissioned officer Hazim Obaid Al Ali, 40, died in Saudi Arabia during training exercises for the operation in Yemen.