Show of love for UAE's brave sons returning from Yemen

Mirfa - Welcoming banners and billboards with slogans greet soldiers.

Thousands of men, women and children converged on the Gwaifat-Abu Dhabi highway on Saturday morning to welcome the homecoming of the first batch of the UAE Armed Forces, who returned after accomplishing a successful mission of 'Restoring Hope,' in Yemen.
A large number of people gathered on the highway at various locations to show their love for the brave sons for doing a job successfully.
The largest gathering was seen at Ruwais, home to Abu Dhabi's oil and gas industry. Over 2,000 people were seen waving the UAE flags and raising welcoming slogans, while dozens carried portraits of the UAE leadership including the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
A large convoy of military trucks carrying tanks, cannons, military vehicles and other hardware paraded through the main Sila-Abu Dhabi highway where local communities showered rose petals on them.
The local communities came out in large numbers in Mirfa and Taarif and other towns, which were joined by students also. A good number of expatriates joined their Emiratis brethren in welcoming the soldiers, who were enthralled by the rousing welcome. They waved out in jubilation, enjoying every bit of it.
Some youngsters were seen beating drums to greet the soldiers who bravely quelled the Houthi uprising effectively, before they could take over the entire country.
The Arab coalition forces led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and actively participated by the UAE successfully restored peace and brought law and order to the restive Aden region, and contained the spread of civil war. Later, the legitimate government of President Hadi returned to power and started rehabilitation and welfare activities with the active cooperation of the UAE Red Crescent Authority which has distributed relief goods for millions of Yemenis.
The GCC's timely decision of supporting the President Hadi government successfully managed in stalling the rebellion from spreading any further, besides bringing stability to Yemen.
Emirati, Salem Al Katheeri, who was welcoming the soldiers along with his family told Khaleej Times: "Our brave young men laid their lives to defend the national interest."
In one tragic incident alone, during the on-going action, 62 young soldiers among others embraced martyrdom, which is a big contribution to the peace and security of the region, said Abdulla Al Dhaheri.
Alongside the 330-kilometres long route, welcoming banners and bill-boards inscribed with slogans greeted the soldiers, who were equally cheering to the crowds.
At Ruwais, a small town, where s large number of oil and gas industry employees work, people started gathering on the streets even after Fajr prayers.
haseeb@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi