Abu Dhabi: The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia and other members of the coalition, has been fighting for the past eight months, losing precious lives in the process, to help free the Yemeni people from the repression of the Al Houthis. And they are doing a great job as more and more provinces are being liberated and the legitimate government was able to return to Aden to perform its duties on Yemeni land.
Liberating vital and sensitive areas from Al Houthi control, the UAE Armed Forces have played a crucial part in the Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen.
The UAE has lost more than 70 soldiers in the Yemen campaign — heroes who have laid down their lives to bring Yemen back on its feet. Nevertheless, its commitment to Yemen remains as determined as ever.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, repeatedly told Yemeni officials and people the UAE will be with them until the mission is accomplished, pledging incessant military and humanitarian efforts to restore peace, security and stability to Yemen.
As the country was receiving bodies of 45 Emirati heroes who lost their lives to Al Houthi rockets in one day, Shaikh Mohammad said the UAE’s support would remain unwavering despite the loss of lives. “Such events will not deter us from carrying out our fraternal and humanitarian duty towards our brothers, but will increase our resolve and strength to achieve our security and humanitarian objectives,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
“Our Armed Forces’ heroes in the battlefield are more determined to liberate Yemen… we are with you until the mission is accomplished. Yemen is not your country alone, but we share common history with you. We pray to Almighty Allah to bless our impending victory.”
“Since its participation in Operation Restoring Hope, the UAE Air Force has repeatedly bombed key Al Houthi encampments, heavy artillery sites, and armament stores, playing a determining role in fighting the militia and forces loyal to the deposed Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh,” said Gulf News in an article yesterday (November 30).
The UAE’s armament, including fighter jets, Apache helicopters, artillery and troops, are playing a crucial part in the operation.
During the liberation of Aden, the UAE Armed Forces provided sufficient artillery cover for the Yemeni troops to secure the city. The UAE also played a vital role in reclaiming the airport, which was reconstructed after violent clashes left it severely damaged.
After liberating the city and its airport, military focus shifted to Ras Imran, west of Aden, and then to the Anad Air Base. The battle to liberate Aden, which is the largest military base in the south of Yemen, was a determining move, with the city now serving as a temporary capital of the country.
The UAE replaced its troops in Yemen early last month as the Arab coalition forces and their national allies are fighting the final battle to seize Taiz and end an Iranian-backed coup and restore legitimacy to Yemen.
On the humanitarian front, Emirates Red Crescent continues to work hard to respond to the pressing humanitarian needs in Yemen, providing food and relief materials to more than 200,000 households or approximately 1.5 million people since Aden was liberated, a senior official said yesterday.
“While continuing to assist in immediate relief, we are working for long-term responses, including school rebuilding, maintenance of health facilities, livelihood rehabilitation and longer-term food assistance,” said Dr Mohammad Atiq Al Falahi, secretary-general of Emirates Red Crescent.
Dr Al Falahi said food and relief parcels are being distributed to 4,330 Yemini households on a daily basis. “Food and relief materials have been distributed to as many as 1.5 million Yemenis since Aden was liberated,” he said.
“The assistance is part of the UAE’s humanitarian efforts to help alleviate the suffering of the brotherly people of Yemen,” he said.
Dr Al Falahi said its 170 ERC officials and volunteers were working diligently on all humanitarian fronts to secure the basic needs of the Yemeni people.
The UAE has become the world’s largest aid donor to Yemen in 2015, providing humanitarian aid worth Dh744 million ($202 million) between April and July — almost half of the aid pledged by other countries.
