UAE leaders hail spirit of armed forces on 40th anniversary of unification
On 40th anniversary of unification, President reiterates UAE’s commitment to fighting extremism and terrorism
Published: 19:14 May 5, 2016
Abu Dhabi: On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the unification of the UAE Armed Forces, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minsiter of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, extolled the courage and abiding commitment of the UAE Armed Forces to ensuring the safety and security of the homeland and Arab nations across the region.
The UAE Armed Forces’ display of bravery and heroism as part of the Saudi-led alliance during Operation Restoring Hope to restore the legitimacy of the Yemeni government drew particular praise from the leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan reiterated his commitment to fighting extremism and terrorism, and the forces of obscurantism. “Our fixed stance expresses our conviction in the need to continue the rescue of our brothers in Yemen, to stand by them until they regain the legitimate sovereignty of Yemeni soil, enable them to rebuild their homeland and return to normal life in dignity, within the framework of the Saudi-led Arab and Islamic alliance,” Shaikh Khalifa said.
“We, on this occasion which has strengthened the pillars of our union and guaranteed its continuity, recall with all reverence the lives of the founding leaders who made the decision to unite our armed forces forty years ago,” Shaikh Khalifa said.
“On this historic anniversary, we remember the UAE martyrs who sacrificed their lives fighting for the principles of truth, defending the legitimacy in Yemen, and defending our national security against foreign interventions, protecting our country’s unity, achievements, history, and its present and future,” Shaikh Khalifa said.
“The lives of these brave soldiers stand in tribute and honour of martyrdom and we reinforce our full support for their families and comprehensive care for their children.”
Shaikh Khalifa, in his speech, greeted the officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of the armed forces, hailing their efforts to develop their combat skills and pursue their military studies to prepare themselves to defend their country and defend its security, stability and sovereignty. He thanked the loyal people of the UAE for being role models and rallying around the leadership and standing by the brave soldiers, raising their morale.
Speaking on the occasion, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid paid tributes to the nation’s martyrs who sacrificed their lives to uphold what is right and thwart evil. “Officers, soldiers and UAE citizens, on this day, we renew our commitment for our people and homeland that we are going forward to achieve our goals in cooperation with our brothers in the GCC countries and our partners in the Arab, Islamic and international coalitions,” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said.
“Today, our UAE Armed Forces have been engaging the fight to efficiently support what is right, as recognised by experts in our region and around the world. The UAE Armed Forces represent an Emirati model which adds elements of additional power. It also doubles their effectiveness and gives them high-profile credentials, full of credibility and influence thanks to the sacrifices of our martyrs.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said the UAE will continue to extend full support to its brothers. “We will continue in full determination to work with our brothers to thwart threats to the security of our region and our Arab world.
“Today is not the same as yesterday,” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid said. “The time before the formation of the Arab coalition is not similar to the era that followed it, this is reality and our personal experience since the establishment of our country, which has enabled us to achieve sustainable development and build our cultural boom. This enabled us to gain more benefits for the Arab world which has notably been seen in the formation and performance of the Arab coalition, and the plans and approaches of multiple Arab countries and their domestic and foreign policies.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid reiterated the vision of the UAE and its commitment to stay on the right path. “We, the people of the right and honourable, our goals are honest and our causes are fair. We are on the right side of history, we keep up its momentum and inspire its emerging future trends. We deal with them on how to enhance the capabilities and maintain the interests of our people and our nation’s position as well as its effectiveness and impact on the region and the world.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said that the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the unification of the UAE Armed Forces sees the UAE stand on solid ground and look to the future with hope and confidence.
Calling the UAE Armed Forces “the shield of our nation and source of its pride”, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said: “On this day which brings back a cherished memory for every one of us, I congratulate all of you, reaffirming the unlimited support of our leadership and its appreciation for the heroic role you play in defending our nation and standing up against the threats to Arab security.”
Shaikh Moahmmad Bin Zayed said the UAE Armed Forces have ben built “on a solid set of principles and established a military that is a source of pride for every Emirati”.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed added: “The introduction of National Service has helped build new channels of communication and understanding between our society and the military, and transferred the traditions of commitment, order and work, which characterise military life, to civilian life. It has also demonstrated to the world that Emirati youth, who did not hesitate to join National Service, understand the responsibility of defending their country, and that the UAE, in addition to being a symbol of happiness, prosperity and sustainable development, is also a symbol of responsible youth that are prepared to endanger their own lives for their country and their national duties.”
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said that the approach that the UAE has adopted over the past decades in developing, modernising and enhancing its military reflects “our leadership’s foresight, strategic vision, sound understanding of the future, and proper reading of the movements and interrelation of regional and international events.
“This is even more evident today with the turbulence witnessed in the Arab and Middle East regions. It is under these circumstances, fraught with danger and threats to the national security of regional countries and to Arab security in general, that the role of our brave Armed Forces has grown, the development of our military has been vindicated, and the hard efforts made over long years have become more evident. I refer here to the heroic role that our military has played in defending the UAE’s higher national interests and the goals of its foreign policy, lending a helping hand to our brothers, defending Arab security against attempts to interfere in its domestic affairs and combating the forces of extremism and terrorism and foiling their evil plans and designs,” Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed said.