Families of fallen Emirati soldiers tell of grief and pride

The bodies of Emirati soldiers Mohammed Khalfan Al Seyabi, Ahmed Khamis Al Hammadi, Yousef Salem Al Kaabi, and Ali Khamis Al Ketbi who were killed in combat in Yemen are carried into Al Bateen AirportShow more

The families of four Emirati heroes killed in Yemen on Tuesday spoke of their grief and pride as they awaited the return of their loved ones’ bodies.

The bodies of the four fallen soldiers were returned with full military ceremony on Wednesday night.

Killed in Aden, in coordinated terror attacks claimed by an ISIL affiliate, were Mohammed Khalfan Al Seyabi of Abu Dhabi, Ahmed Khamis Al Hammadi of the Western Region, Yousef Salem Al Kaabi of Fujairah, and Ali Khamis Al Ketbi of Al Ain.

On Wednesday, Yousef’s family gathered to mourn their 33-year-old hero.

“Family members, relatives and neighbours have been here since the early morning,” said Ali Al Kaabi, Yousef’s elder brother. “They are all standing beside us in this critical situation and I don’t have any words that could describe our loss.”

His father Salem, 64, said: “We should all give sacrifices for the sake of the country. My son is a martyr and we are so proud of him.

“Our duty is to serve the country and to support our Ruler.”

Yousef was married for almost four years and is survived by his wife, Bashayer Mohammed, and two children – Asmaa, 3, and Abdullah, 6 months.

Bashayer, 24, was last in touch with her husband on Monday night, when he asked her to take care of the children and call to wake him at 3am.

“I was the last person who contacted him,” she said. “He sounded good but a little bit worried about the kids, and asked me to take care of them.

“If I had known that this phone call would be the last, I could have said a thousand words on how much we are going to miss him and would never hang up.

“He is now in a better place with a better companion.”

In Abu Dhabi, Khalid Khalfan Al Seyabi was keen to focus on his pride, not grief, after losing his brother Mohammed, 35.

“Mohammed’s martyrdom is a source of pride. I refuse to receive condolences. This is a day to remember my dear brother’s great sacrifice,” said Khalid.

“Mohammed would’ve wanted the day of his martyrdom to be a source of pride for all of his family and we’re living his wishes. It’s what he asked us to do.”

Mohammed leaves behind two sons and four daughters. His last wish was that his family would take good care of his children.

His mother mustered a smile that showed how proud she was of her son, Khalid said.

In the Western Region, Bakheet Al Hammadi mourned his nephew Ahmed.

Ahmed was the second of seven siblings – three sisters and four brothers. He was married and leaves behind six children.

“Ahmed was a loving father with a deep sense of duty,” Bakheet said. “He was patriotic and instilled that in the way he raised his children. It’s a sad day but we are extremely proud of him and his sacrifice.”

Funeral prayers for Ahmed are to be held at the Muhajereen Mosque in Al Marfaa today.

Yousef Al Kaabi had six brothers and two sisters. Ayda, 32, said her brother was close to God and always wanted to serve the country. “Yousef was a role model to us in so many ways,” she said. “He was so close to God and always encouraged us to be so.”

His other sister, Moza, said Yousef had been working as a presidential guard for 12 years but left to join the fight against the rebels in Yemen last month.

Meanwhile, Al Azhar, the major global seat of Islamic learning, sent a message of mourning for the Emirati martyrs. It decried the Aden attacks and expressed its appreciation for the efforts of the Arab coalition in Yemen.

Since September 4, 60 Emirati servicemen have died in the Saudi-led Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, offered his condolences to the family of Khamis Rashid Al Abdouly, who died in Germany on Sunday from injuries he sustained while fighting in Yemen.

Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, also paid his respects.