The son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has enlisted for national service with the UAE army.

The fifth intake of recruits took place in Al Ain on Saturday, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid (who is the chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation that works to improve education across the Middle East) will now be serving alongside his countrymen. UAE forces have been on the ground in Yemen since early 2015 in coalition with Saudi Arabia – they are there to confront Shiite Houthi violence in the troubled neighbouring country and to reinstate the exiled government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi.

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“It gives me great honour to stand with my countrymen who have joined the national military service today,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “I want to salute them as well as all those who have rendered military service previously and those who will do so in the future in response to the call of the country to commit to safeguarding their homeland’s security and ensuring its prosperity.”

The newest batch of Emirati recruits began military training on Saturday: the young me and women will go through military, fitness and security training, according to the Emirates News Agency. 

A photo posted by abdalrhman (@ajs.1) on

National service became the law in June 2014, requiring Emirati men between 18 and 30 to sign up for military service. Women may volunteer. Emirati men who have finished secondary school have to serve nine months, those who have not serve two years. Sheikh Mohammed’s other son Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed is also in the army, and recently shared photos of his work in Yemen:

It’s always good having true men by your side

A photo posted by Mansoor bin Mohammed Almaktoum (@mansoorbinmohammed) on

 

Here’s some video of Sheikh Ahmed enlisting:

@ahmed_mrm ❤️ ﴾Saturday, 16/01/2016 السبت﴿ ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃ قام سمو الشيخ أحمد بن محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم، رئيس مؤسسة محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم، اليوم بإتمام إجراءات الالتحاق بالخدمة الوطنية في معسكر سيح اللحمة بمدينة العين، وذلك في أول أيام استقبال الدفعة الخامسة من المنتسبين. . وبهذه المناسبة، أكد سمو الشيخ أحمد بن محمد أن الخدمة الوطنية هي من أشرف الواجبات التي يحملها كل إنسان تجاه وطنه وأهله، علاوة على كونها من الفرص المهمة التي يثبت من خلالها الإنسان مدى الولاء لهذا الوطن والانتماء إلى ترابه والوفاء لقيادته ومدى التلاحم مع اخوانه والتفاني في إعلاء شأن بلاده وتأكيد عوامل رفعتها وتقدمها. . وقال سموه: “لاشك في أن الخدمة الوطنية هي شكل بسيط من أشكال رد الجميل لهذا الوطن المعطاء، وإنه من دواعي فخري واعتزازي أن أكون اليوم بين إخواني من الشباب الذين بادروا اليوم إلى التسجيل، ولا يفوتني أن أوجه لهم، ولمن سبقونا في أداء هذا الواجب، وكذلك لمن سيتبعوننا إليه، تحية تقدير وإعزاز لأنهم يبرهنون للعالم أن أبناء الإمارات لا يتأخرون أبداً عن تلبية نداء وطنهم والاجتهاد في ترسيخ مقومات أمنه واستقراره وازدهاره، وبذل كافة التضحيات مهما تعاظمت في سبيل تحقيق ذلك.” • • Chairman of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum today completed enrolment procedures to join the national military service, alongside the fifth batch of Emirati recruits who gathered at the national service training centre at Sieh Al-Lahma military camp in Al Ain. . On this occasion, Sheikh Ahmed affirmed that military service is an opportunity for Emirati nationals to prove their loyalty towards their country, people and leadership, adding that national service will instil a sense of unity and solidarity among UAE citizens. He also added that national service is an opportunity to give back to the country. “It gives me great honour to stand with my fellow countrymen who have joined the national military service today. I want to salute them as well as all those who have rendered military service previously and those who will do so in the future in response to the call of the country to commit to safeguarding their homeland’s security and ensuring its prosperity,” said #SheikhAhmed ▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃ ▶️Video by @akhbar_alemarat

A video posted by Fazza Fans ( Fazza3 فزاع ) (@faz3_ourinspiration) on

Photo: Instagram/MansoorBinMohammed

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