ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - The bodies of 45 UAE soldiers killed in Yemen on Friday began arriving in Abu Dhabi on Saturday on board a UAE Air Force plane.
The plane carrying the coffins landed at Al Bateen Airport, in the capital, where a large gathering of the country's military personnel had gathered.
A special ceremony was held at the airport honouring the country's 'martyrs.' The UAE has declared three days mourning for the soldiers.
The 45 soldiers who died were part of a Gulf countries campaign led by Saudi Arabia called Operation "Restore Hope." The aim of the operation is to reinstall the "legitimate government" in Yemen.
The soldiers were killed during an accidental blast at an ammunition store of the 107th Brigdae in the eastern Yemeni oil province of Marib. It is the highest number of UAE soldiers killed in any military encounter.
Twenty two soldiers were killed at the scene, and another 23 died later of injuries received in the blast.
The blast also killed a number of Yemenis.
Earlier in the day Friday, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan received a telephone call from the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who offered his condolences for the Emiratis who were killed.
The UAE has lost so far approximately 53 soldiers in the war in Yemen.
The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition comprising nine Arab states supporting Yemen's "legitimate" government under President Hadi.
Friday's mass casualties have not deterred the country's resolve to fight on in Yemen. "God bless our martyrs and their families who have inspired us with their fortitude. These sacrifices increase our strength and determination to achieve victory," UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Saturday.
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