Thousands attend funeral of Lt Al Ka’abi in Al Ain

The funeral of Lt Abdul Aziz Sarhan Saleh Al Ka’abi was held late on Thursday night, after he died participating in Operation Restoring Hope, the name for the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthis in Yemen.

The funeral in Al Ain of Lt Abdul Aziz Sarhan Saleh Al Ka’abi, who died while participating in Operation Restoring Hope. Anas Kanni / Al Ittihad

ABU DHABI // A crowd of thousands marched in Al Ain in a funeral procession for Lt Abdul Aziz Sarhan Saleh Al Ka’abi, the Emirati who died while on duty with Saudi-led coalition forces.

The funeral prayer was held at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Al Hili at midnight on Thursday, with military dignitaries present to pay their last respects before the serviceman was laid to rest in Al Hili graveyard, reported The National’s Arabic sister paper, Al Ittihad.

Lt Al Ka’abi was participating in Operation Restoring Hope, which supports the legitimate government of Abdrabu Mansoor Hadi in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthis.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, offered their condolences yesterday to Lt Al Ka’abi’s family.

Condolences were also offered by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Foreign Minister.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said the UAE was proud of Lt Al Ka’abi and the sacrifices made by the UAE’s loyal citizens who sought to support their brothers and defend their just causes.

And they reiterated the UAE’s firm stance in supporting brotherly countries that face threats to their stability and security.

Federal National Council members also expressed their sorrow and applauded the work of the Armed Forces on behalf of the country.

Ahmed Al Zaabi said: “Abdul Aziz Al Ka’abi died on the battlefield while defending the oppressed against an oppressive stranger. We take pride in him and in our soldiers and ask Allah to accept him among the martyrs.”

Fellow member Sultan Al Samahi said that the UAE and its coalition partners need to continue rooting out Houthi terrorism in Yemen. “The progress achieved by the popular resistance forces and the pro-government forces in Aden are a confirmation to all that it takes much more to defeat Yemen’s Arabism,” he said, referring to the liberation of Aden.

Ahmed Al Mansoori, also an FNC member, said that the death of Lt Ka’abi will only strengthen the resolve of the UAE to stand by Yemen against the Houthis.

Ahmad Al Khanbooli, another Emirati in attendance, said: “Al Ka’abi’s death in the line of duty is a heroic act for the Emirati people, who have stood up against oppression with our Arab brothers.” He said that the Houthis and those backing them will be defeated.