Bodies of Emirati pilots killed in Yemen arrive in UAE

The bodies of two Emirati pilots who died when their aircraft crashed in Yemen arrived at Al Bateen Executive Airport on Wednesday.

Major Pilot Ali Al Mesmari and First Lieutenant Pilot Badr Al Marasheda were killed as a result of the accident, which was caused by a technical fault, the General Command of the UAE Armed Forces said on Tuesday.

They were greeted with full military honours in the capital before being transported to Fujairah and Sharjah respectively.

The funeral of Al Mesmari was held at Farfar Mosque in Fujairah after Dhuhur prayers while funeral prayers will be held for Al Marasheda at Sayed Al Shohada mosque in Kalba after Asr.

In a tweet, the command said the men were serving in Operation Restoring Hope, the Saudi-led coalition mission to push back Iran-backed Houthi militia and restore the internationally recognised government.

It offered its condolences to the families of the martyrs, praying to Almighty Allah to rest their souls in eternal peace and bestow His mercy upon them.