Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed attends ceremony to mark land forces' 26th unification anniversary

Abu Dhabi - Shaikh Mohammed said the UAE leadership was proud of the readiness, professionalism and efficiency of the armed forces.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Sunday attended at the Zayed Military City, a ceremony hosted by the Land Forces' unit to celebrate the 26th anniversary of its unification.

Shaikh Mohammed said the UAE leadership was proud of the readiness, professionalism and efficiency of the armed forces.

He affirmed that the modernisation plans for all units of the UAE armed forces will continue to develop their capabilities and to enable them to perform their national duty of defending the country and its achievements under the wise leadership of The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Upon Shaikh Mohammed's arrival, the national anthem was played and the personnel forming the military column renewed their oath of allegiance.

Major General Saleh Mohamed Saleh Al Ameri, Commander of the Land Forces, delivered a speech in which he detailed the history of the unit which was officially established in 1989. He added that the oldest Land Forces unit in the UAE was created in 1951.

Al Ameri paid tribute to the late Shaikh Zayed, who unified the armed forces in 1976. He renewed allegiance to Shaikh Khalifa.

Al Ameri saluted Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who led the armed forces' massive development throughout the past three decades and expressed appreciation for the role played by the General Headquarters of the UAE Armed Forces.

"The Land Forces unification day is also a day to remember our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their country and to show gratitude to our former commanders who made sure that our flags always fly high," he added.

During the celebration, video footages were shown about the achievements of the land forces and their contributions in different missions abroad, including their first mission as part of the Arab peacekeeping force in Lebanon in 1976 and their current one as part of the Arab Coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen.

Shaikh Mohammed honoured the families of the Land Forces' martyrs and also the former commanders of the unit. He then inspected the latest equipment and weaponry and was briefed about their uses in different field operations.

• Abu Dhabi