Four UAE soldiers killed, nine injured in on-duty accident

Deceased were buried on Wednesday after Isha prayer, with mourning beginning on Thursday for three days

Four members of the UAE Armed Forces died in an accident while on duty, and nine others were injured on Tuesday evening, September 24, the Ministry of Defence of the Gulf nation confirmed.

The soldiers who lost their lives were identified as Nahyan Al Marzouqi, Ahmed Al Shehhi, Nasser Al Balooshi, and Abdulaziz Al Taniji, Khaleej Times reported.

In a statement, the ministry mourned the loss of its brave soldiers, expressing heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs. The injured personnel were transferred to a hospital for immediate medical care, and the ministry expressed hopes for their speedy recovery.

Family and friends took to social media to grieve and honour the fallen soldiers. Faisal Al-Jasim, a cousin of 24-year-old Nahyan Al Marzouqi, described him as "a man of principle" and added, “He was like my younger brother.”

Al Marzouqi had served in the Ministry of Defence for a year and a half, known for his dedication and for taking on family responsibilities due to his father’s work abroad. Another relative shared a tribute online, recalling a recent family gathering: "We were celebrating the coronation of Al Ain Football Club for winning the 2024 AFC Champions League. May God have mercy on all the martyrs."

The four soldiers were buried on Wednesday after Isha prayer, with mourning beginning on Thursday for three days.

Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, visited the injured on Wednesday, offering his “deepest condolences to the leadership and people of the UAE.” He honoured the memory of the martyrs, stating, “The sacrifices of our Armed Forces heroes will always remain in our hearts and minds. Their devotion to safeguarding the UAE’s integrity sets an example for noble service.”

The Ministry of Defence held a military funeral for the soldiers, attended by senior leaders and officers, along with family members and relatives of the deceased. The ceremony marked the nation’s tribute to its fallen heroes.

The statement issued by the UAE Armed Forces did not specify the nature or location of the accident.

It is worth noting that the UAE Armed Forces are considered one of the most skilled and powerful military forces among the Arab Gulf states.