Two killed in UAE helicopter crash during Yemen mission

Two people were killed in a United Arab Emirates military helicopter crash, the General Command of the Armed Forces announced on Monday.

The pilot and co-pilot were among the UAE forces taking part in the Saudi-led Arab coalition’s Operation Restoring Hope in Yemen, official news agency WAM reported.

In a statement, the General Command of the Armed Forces extended its condolences and sympathy to the families of the men.

Also read: Pilot, co-pilot die in UAE military helicopter crash

Two die in UAE military aircraft crash

The Saudi-led coalition began conducting air strikes against Houthi rebels in March 2015 in a bid to restore Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s government in the country.

In addition, the coalition has also provided material and military support to factions within the country fighting the Houthis.

The UAE and other Arab countries have suffered growing casualty numbers in the conflict.

Read: UAE serviceman part of Saudi-led coalition dies in Yemen

In September last year, at least 50 soldiers from the UAE, 10 from Saudi Arabia, five from Bahrain and four from Yemen were killed after a Houthi rocket hit an ammunition depot in Yemen’s Marib province.

Coordinated attacks by militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Levant also killed almost 22 people including four UAE soldiers in Yemen.

Despite incurring heavy casualties, the UAE has reiterated that it will continue its operations in Yemen.