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Grand welcome for UAE war heroes

Abu Dhabi - Leaders, families and thousands of flag-waving residents receive UAE troops from Yemen.

Triumphant and in high spirits, UAE's heroes were welcomed back home with ballads, loud cheers and a long line up of flag-waving proud residents early on Saturday.
Months after going to the battlefield in Yemen, the first batch of troops returned home to joyful families who had prepared a grand welcome. The UAE Army had also set up a welcome home celebration worthy of its soldiers.
Thousands of people lined up along the 330km Gwaifat-Abu Dhabi highway to welcome the troops who crossed into the UAE from the Saudi border at Sila at the crack of dawn.
Banners and billboards inscribed with slogans greeted the soldiers who marched on to reach Zayed Military City (ZMC) at midday where a grand celebration welcomed them.
With hands on their hearts, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and 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, greeted each of the 300 soldiers personally.
In a statement titled 'The Emirates of Peace' as a tribute to the soldiers, Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid said: "The honourable performance of our Armed Forces in the battlefield and their effective contribution towards the victories of the Arab Coalition in Yemen are the best proof that our soldiers maintain high defence and combat readiness, which ensures that our country possesses a shield that protects its soil and a sword that guarantees its security and the safety of its people."
Addressing the soldiers, he said: "You lived up to the expectations of your people, and (with) your heroic acts, you proved to the whole world that the UAE never hesitates to fulfill its duty towards its brothers."
To the second batch of soldiers who have gone to Yemen he said: "We pray for your safety until you return triumphant."
Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed said: "On this day, we pray to Allah the Almighty for our martyrs who granted us the strength and determination to win and to defeat the aggressors. Our hero martyrs did us proud. We also salute their families whose exemplary patience, fortitude and patriotism inspired this generation and the generations to come. I say to them with confidence: The bloodshed of your sons will not be in vain."
reporters@khaleejtimes.com