Emiratis offer to serve nation by joining Yemen operation

Dubai - The death of 45 servicemen has given rise to a new sense of nationalism.

As the country mourns its biggest loss of soldiers, an unusual appeal emerged from its citizens on Saturday.
Expressing their pride in the competency of the Armed Forces, several Emiratis offered to serve the nation by joining the ongoing operation in Yemen.
The death of 45 servicemen has given rise to a new sense of nationalism, which made them ask the country's leadership to open the doors of armed service for all to fight the Houthis and former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Researcher Majid bin Waqees, on his Twitter page, said: "We are resolved to stand by the UAE leadership with what we have; our souls, money, life and children. We are well ready for the battle."
Arif Omer said: "We are on standby, and waiting for further instructions from His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces."
"We are ready to fight for justice on the orders of our leadership in any land and under any sky," Arif added.
A Twitter hashtag that highlighted the determination of Emirati citizens to voluntarily join the UAE army to drive back the Houthi rebels in Yemen has drawn as many as over 33,000 tweets.
An informed source said the number of Emirati soldiers, who got injured were less than the martyred. The source referred to the fact that several social networking have posted inaccurate and wrong information on the number of the martyrs and injured.
The Abu Dhabi courts clarified that Article No 167 of the penal code states: "A punishment of temporary imprisonment shall be inflicted on any person who deliberately, in times of war, transmits to the public news, statements, false or prejudicial rumours, or who resorts to provocative propaganda that could prejudice military preparations regarding the defence of the state, or military operations of the armed forces, or to provoke panic among people or weaken the morale of the state. However, the punishment shall be imprisonment for no less than five years if the crime is committed by way of correspondence with or espionage for a foreign state, and life imprisonment if committed by way of correspondence with or spying for a hostile state."
The source urged not to post or use any information or photos related to the UAE Armed Forces personnel and their whereabouts on any social media sites or mass media, from which our enemy could avail of.
mustafa@khaleejtimes.com

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