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UAE's heroes back home from Yemen, but ready to go back

Abu Dhabi - The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces arranged a welcome back party worthy of its brave soldiers.

After months of fighting for the Saudi Arabia-led Arab coalition's cause in Yemen, the first batch of Emirati soldiers came back home on Saturday.
The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces arranged a welcome back party worthy of its brave soldiers.
As early as Friday - 24 hours before the troops' arrival - all roads leading to the Zayed Military City (ZMC) were flanked by UAE flags. An arena was built behind the city's main gate.
At dawn the next morning, the first pictures of the UAE convoy making its way home through the Sila (Western Region) border appeared on social media. In a few more hours, they would be home.
"We've been on the road for two and a half days, since Thursday. We had many trucks, so the convoy was moving slowly," Major Mohammed Al Rayhi, who was among the men returning from Yemen, told Khaleej Times. "I was stationed in Yemen for three months. Our work there was good, helping the people. Of course, like every soldier, I'm very happy to be back home. The first thing I want to do is see my family."
When the soldiers were on the last leg of their journey, their families, friends, military personnel and even strangers wishing to greet them began gathering at the ZMC from 9am.
News began coming in that the troops would march in at noon. Till then, bus after bus was bringing people from the improvised car park outside the ZMC gate, which was never opened to the public before.
Over a thousand people filled up the spectator areas. Waving UAE flags and placards with pictures of UAE leaders, the crowd could barely contain its joy.
A live army band was there to entertain them and a large screen showed footages of the UAE Army's operation in Yemen.
Um Hamed, wife of a soldier, said: "My husband, Abdulaziz Al Wakshi, was in Yemen for seven months. Hamed, our son, is one year old, so he hasn't seen him that much.
"I was worried about him a lot, but now I'm happy he is finally back. I have prepared a big surprise for him at home."
Awaiting eagerly in the crowd was Aisha Al Nofeli from Al Ain. Her brother, Ahmed Darai, was stationed in Yemen for seven months.
"I only found out yesterday that he is coming home. I'm so happy he is back safe. The first thing I want to do when I see him is to hug him," she said.
Naima Abdullah has four grown up sons and one of them, 22-year-old Dafar Hassan Al Ahbabi, was among the soldiers stationed in Yemen.
"He was there for seven months and I was always thinking about him, but we managed to keep in touch, getting news from him, every few days, through Whatsapp," she said. "When I heard he was coming home, I was really overjoyed. I prepared a party for him - you know, an Emirati style party, cooking a full young camel in his honour."
Sitting quietly in the men's section of the spectator area, 16-year-old Mansour Al Dhaheri was waiting for his father's arrival from Yemen.
"His name is Abdullah Al Dhaheri. The last time I saw his was last month. He came home for just five days, but now that he is finally back for good makes me truly very happy. Of course, I am very proud of him," said Mansour.
VP, CP arrive
A few minutes before 12pm, 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, arrived at the ZMC.
A poem dedicated to the Emirati soldiers in Yemen was recited live, while the screens showed the troops approaching the ZMC.
As the first tanks in the convoy, escorted by the Abu Dhabi Police, arrived in the ZMC, the crowd burst into screams of joy and cheers.
As they slowly drove past the spectators' arena, the soldiers waved flags, saluted and flashed peace signs at the spectators and the crowd responded with smiles, cheers and waves. A few dozen trucks carrying tanks and armoured combat vehicles drove in and the spectators welcomed every single one of them by throwing flowers and confetti.
About 20 minutes later, the last vehicle of the convoy entered the ZMC. A Quran prayer was recited, followed by a programme of speeches and poetry recitals.
The over 300 soldiers who returned from Yemen marched in front of the arena. Hand on his heart, Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid, accompanied by Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed walked to the troops, and shook hands with all of them.
"Yes, we've been away from our families and yes, it's been a long journey back home, but we are Emirati soldiers and we are not tired; we are ready to go back straight away, if needed," said Mohammed Salem, one of the soldiers.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com