Aden // Nine Emirati officers were handed Yemen’s highest military honour on Saturday for their bravery in helping restore the country’s internationally recognised government.
President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi passed the awards to the commander of the UAE forces in Aden, Brigadier General Rashed Bin Saeed Al Ghafly during a ceremony at the city’s presidential palace.
Among those honoured was Colonel Sultan Al Katbi, who was killed in a rocket strike on a Red Sea army camp near Taez. Al Ketbi, who left behind eight children, was always full of life and was dedicated to fighting for the country, his brother Moded said during his funeral in Al Dhaid, attended by hundreds of mourners.
The coalition forces in Yemen “will forever be in the minds and hearts of the Yemeni people,” Mr Hadi said during the ceremony. The president thanked the Saudi-led coalition for its role in the conflict and said he appreciated the role played by each and every soldier, including those from the Emirates, for their sacrifice in supporting his government.
The other officers honoured included Brig Gen Al Ghafly himself; the former UAE commander in Aden, Brig gen Nasser Al Otaibi; Brig Gen Mubarak Al Gaberi, who served as the UAE’s special envoy to Yemen; Brig Gen Abdullah Al Dhaheri, the former Aden representative for the Emirates Red Crescent; Col Muhammed Al Hassani, Lieutenant Abdullah Al Ka’abi, Lt Abdurrahman Al Shwaihi and Major Salem Al Mosaferi.
UAE forces played a leading role in liberating Aden in July from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels and their allies. Fighting alongside Yemeni soldiers and resistance forces they pushed the Houthis from southern Yemen and north towards Taez and the capital Sanaa.
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
