Article in brief: mourning the 45 Emirati soldiers we lost yesterday in “Operation Raising Hope” in Yemen.
The news yesterday escalated quickly, from 11 to 22 to 25, and then the big shock of 45. 45 of the Emirati soldiers lost their lives yesterday in “Operation Raising Hope” in Yemen according to WAM.
Since the Arabian troops have been fighting in Yemen under the operation for a few months now, we got the occasional death reporting of one to three fallen soldiers in the line of fire. But with the death toll this time reaching to 45 Emirati soldiers in one day, this took the shock to a national level, and spread the grief and mourning between not only the families of the fallen soldiers, but the whole Emirati community, as we all felt the pain and sorrow as one family.
The leadership mourning messages were clear messages of pride in our fallen soldiers, and gratitude towards the great sacrifice those soldiers have made for the unity and protection of the region. Those messages were published on the official twitter accounts of both His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (@mbznews), and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai (@hhshkmohd).
The names of the fallen soldiers were not announced officially immediately, but the concerned soldiers’ families have been informed directly, and the delay in the names announcement is out of respect to the soldiers’ families and their privacy[i].
The official mourning has been announced by the ministry of Presidential Affairs to be three days starting from today Saturday. This includes bringing down the flag to half-mast across the country[ii]. It’s advised in this sensitive time as a sign of respect to reduce loud music, and delay any celebrations.
May the souls of our fallen soldiers be granted God’s heaven and mercy, and may their sacrifice not be wasted and only bring the success of the operation sooner than later.
[i] https://twitter.com/SharjahTV/status/639880570651066368
[ii] http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395285030709.html
