Tribute to Ahmed Ali al-Hamzi, Yemeni Air Force Commander

The rural man. Ahmed Ali Hamzi came, driven by the sorrows of war and the unjust wars of the years.

Yemen had a broken-winged air force, bombed, piled up in ruins, of no use to the fighters, unable to fly or to bomb, until Abu Muti' took it soaring on wings of resolve and conviction, achieving one of the revolution's goals,

and fulfilling one of its leader's promises.

He was called the rocket spirit while he was there, and with his comrades he performed some of its miracles in the early days of the battle.

When he rose to the top of the air force leadership, it became clear that responsibility only made him more energetic —and more humble and engaged.

How many did they get? —I’ve run out of them now.

It was the first time Yemen's air force flew without an ambassador's permission, and took to the skies by a purely Yemeni decision, sovereign and free of dependence.

Abu Muti' foresaw the scene and saw the miracle come true, showing the world some of the capabilities of the Revolution of the Twenty- First of September.

Nearly all the major operations bear his name, and many strikes attest to his role.

Between shooting down the aggressors' planes and bringing their objectives down.

Muti' quietly filled in the gaps, and with determination, had he been able to reach the ground from the skies, he would have done so.

A wounded man whose resolve outweighed his pain.

Here he is, his wounds not yet healed, his mind still unsettled, for he would not rest without completing the missions and keeping things running until his sickbed and his office chair were practically one, at his jihadist post, his stronghold burning with zeal and always advancing the mission.

At the front, you find him where — the fighting grows fierce.

The whole world, by God's grace. There is no god but God.

A group of downtrodden people, yet believers, true to God — and trusting in God.

And in the community, you find him at the kindergarten, kissing the faces of martyrs — and turning their pages.

May his blessings be with you. You are with us in the vanguard.

— And we are your rear guard.

Before Abu Muti' came along, the skies were the aggressors' domain.

They bombed whenever they wished, wherever they wanted.

Until Hamzi and his comrades drew the line.

Then the world heard the sound of them crashing and saw the smoke from their fires.

And only today are we getting to know Abu Muti' — the hero who brings them down and gets them airborne. It was very successful.

And, God willing, this operation will be carried out again.

God willing. Day after day, month after month, year after year, Hamzi tries to forget his wounds, stubbornly.

But they do not forget him, and keep growing in his body, hastening his departure, his departure.

How devastating a parting it is, and how — painful it is for his companions.

You have departed to be beside your Lord, O Mutii.

May your lofty, exalted abode be blessed.

Noble in the arenas of encounter. As if your pride were an impregnable mountain.