Brother of UAE soldier: I wish we could have seen him one last time

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Brother of UAE soldier: I wish we could have seen him one last time The brother of a senior UAE Armed Forces commander killed in Yemen has spoken of how he yearned for the chance to see him one last time. Colonel Sultan Mohammed Ali Al Ketbi, 45, was killed early Monday morning alongside Saudi Colonel Abdullah Al Sahyan. The two men are among the most senior ranking soldiers to be killed in Arab Coalition’s campaign against the Houthi rebels. Al Ketbi was taking part in an operation to liberate Taiz as part of Operation Restoring Hope. To date, 72 Emirati soldiers have been killed in the line of duty in Yemen, since operations began in March. They are combating Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and seeking to restore the ousted government of Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. “We wish we could have see him one last time before he was martyred, to a say a final farewell,” his brother Salem, 47, a former Federal National Council member, told 7DAYS. “But I tell him, I hope to meet again in paradise,” he added. RELATED: UAE soldiers in Yemen  Al Ketbi, a father of seven, was the deputy commander of the UAE division that recaptured the strategic strait of Bab Al Mandab after clashes with Al Houthi rebels in October. His brother said: “He was extremely committed to his work and country. We would only see him for a few days and be on duty for more than one month at a time. “He was the commander of the UAE division during the Bab Al Mandab clashes.” Al Ketbi, had served with the armed forces since the 1990s and has served his country abroad, including in peacekeeping missions to Somalia and Kosovo. Salem Al Ketbi said he spoke to his brother on Sunday. He said: “I told him we would having a party in two weeks and he said hopefully he would be able to attend it.” He received the news at about 2.30am yesterday but decided not to tell his parents until after the morning prayer. Salem Al Ketbi said: “We went together with my father to the mosque to pray and on the way back I took him to my home and told him.” He told rest of the family a short time after. Al Ketbi was due to be laid to rest in Al Dhaid, Sharjah, last night. He continued: “My mother was sad, it is always painful in the beginning. But I think she has now realised the heroic act that her son has performed – she recognises his sacrifice. “His children have understood his sacrifice… they know that a martyr is not be grieved. “It is a gift from God to die as a martyr. He has earned it and his death is a badge of honour for his family and for the nation.” wafa.issa@7days.ae Read the original story at: Brother of UAE soldier: I wish we could have seen him one last time