Families pay tribute to fallen UAE soldiers

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Families pay tribute to fallen UAE soldiers The country for the first time marks Commemoration Day, introduced this year to pay tribute to the sacrifice made by UAE Armed Forces soldiers. Many of the servicemen, at least 70, have lost their lives during the conflict in Yemen, which has seen the UAE, Saudi, Sudan and others support the Yemeni government against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Some have died in other engagements, such as the first, Salem Suhail bin Khamis Al Dahmani, when Iran invaded the island of Greater Tunb in the Strait of Hormuz in 1971, while there have been deaths in training accidents. 7DAYS spoke to several families who have lost their brothers and sons about what Commemoration Day, previously named Martyrs’ Day, means to them. ‘I felt unimaginable sorrow, but I’m proud’ Sultan Omar Mubarak Salem Al Jaberi says he will always remember the last words spoken to him by his elder brother before he was killed in Yemen. The Emirati was with friends when news that Abdullah Omar Mubarak Salem Al Jaberi had died reached his family, who live in Mamourah in Ras Al Khaimah. “When I heard the news I was shaken and rendered speechless. It was the most difficult moment of my life,” said the 16-year-old school pupil. The 31-year-old soldier was among more than 50 servicemen who lost their lives in a rocket attack on Marib on September 3, the deadliest day for Gulf forces fighting in Yemen. Sultan last spoke to him the day before the attack, saying: “He said to me on the phone that ‘I am on National Service and may pass away any time. I urge all of you to be God-fearing and to obey Him. From Allah we came and to Him we shall return’,” he said. “He used to call and check on us. But that was his last message to me and the entire family. He was a devout Muslim and loved us all. He was my role model.” Sultan described the loss of his brother as an “unimaginable sorrow” but wears his sacrifice as a badge of honour. He said their mother and Abdullah’s wife still struggle with their grief. The fallen soldier left four girls behind, the eldest aged 11. But he added: “I am happy that my brother died a martyr. I applaud the Martyrs’ Day initiated in honour of all our fallen soldiers.” ‘Telling the children their dad died a hero helps’ Mohammed Saeed Al Habsi, the brother of First Corporal Fahim Saeed Al Habsi, said the death of his younger brother has been hard on the family, especially the soldier’s wife and five children, in Ras Al Khaimah. “My brother left behind two boys and three girls. The youngest child is two and his eldest son is 11 and are staying with their mother,” he said. “The younger children always ask me about their father whenever I go to see them. But I tell them he died a martyr and he’s in heaven now.” He added: “Of course the kids miss their dad. But paying a visit to them and telling them their father died a hero somehow makes them happy.” The 33-year-old first corporal was killed in early August alongside first sergeants Juma Jawhar Juma Al Hammadi and Khalid Mohammed Abdullah Al Shehhi. They were part of UAE forces pursuing retreating Houthis, who laid mines as they fled. Mohammed said: “It feels good to see the nation honouring him.” Today, he will be travelling to Abu Dhabi with his brother’s children to attend Commemoration Day events. Al Habsi said his brother’s family is being given a great deal of support. He added: “Our rulers never forget the sacrifices of our heroes nor the children of the armed forces staff, at home and abroad.” ‘We visit his grave every week, we never forget’ Musabah Al Mazroui, the brother of deceased soldier Obaid Saeed Al Mazroui, said his sibling will now ‘live on forever’ through the celebration of Commemoration Day. Obaid, 35, from Ras Al Khaimah, was killed in the rocket attack on Marib in September, the deadliest attack on the Arab coalition in Yemen. “The country is honouring him on a special day, future generations will never forget him. He will become eternal. He will live forever,” said Musabah, 28. Obaid was a father of six, the oldest is 12 years and the youngest less than a year. Musabah said: “He has left a big gap for everyone especially for our mother, his wife and children. He was always around them… supported them.” Obaid had been with the armed forces for more than 18 years. Saif, Obaid’s older brother, also paid tribute, saying: “He is still part of everything we do, we visit his grave every Friday and in any festivity.” The 44th National Day on Wednesday will be the first the family will celebrate without their son. Saif said: “Although it is difficult to celebrate the National Day for the first time without him, we are proud and we know the whole nation is also proud of him. He and his brothers died for their country.” ismail@7days.ae Read the original story at: Families pay tribute to fallen UAE soldiers