Yemen war takes its toll on UAE soldiers
Member of Abu Dhabi royal family among three survivors of helicopter crash in Shabwa that killed four Emirati soldiers.
Four soldiers from the United Arab Emirates have been killed in a helicopter crash in Yemen and another three Emirati troops were injured, including a prominent member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.
The helicopter crash occurred on Friday in Shabwa, a province that has seen US air strikes target al-Qaeda’s local branch, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, in recent months.
The UAE is part of an Arab coalition assembled by Saudi Arabia that is helping Yemen government soldiers battle Houthi fighters and their allies in Yemen.
A report in Abu Dhabi’s The National newspaper, said: “A member of the Abu Dhabi royal family is receiving medical treatment after being injured when a UAE Armed Forces helicopter crashed in Yemen.
“Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, who has served in the Presidential Guard, was hurt alongside two others when the aircraft went down in Shabwa province.
“Four Emirati servicemen were also killed. They were laid to rest on Saturday evening.”
At least 94 Emirati soldiers have died in the conflict since it began two and a half years ago.
The Saudi-led coalition began its war in Yemen in March 2015 against the Iran-allied Houthis who hold the capital, Sanaa.