Turkey-Syria earthquakes: UAE President launches ‘Gallant Knight / 2’ operation and pledges $13 million in aid

Under the directives of the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Joint Operations Command of the Ministry of Defence launched the “Gallant Knight / 2” operation to provide assistance to those affected by the recent destructive earthquake in Syria and Turkey.

The UAE also pledged $13.6 million in humanitarian aid to Syria. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the UAE, directed aid to those affected by the earthquake in Syria. The “Gallant Knight / 2” operation is a testament to the UAE’s commitment to helping countrie in need.

The first aid plane took off from Abu Dhabi to Adana Airport in Turkey, carrying search and rescue teams, as well as medical equipment, according to the official news agency WAM. The UAE would also send search and rescue teams, urgent relief supplies and emergency aid to Syria.

The UAE has also announced plans to establish a field hospital in Turkey in order to help people. A field hospital would help with the international response to the disaster.

On Monday, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan offered his condolences to his Syrian and Turkish counterparts. His Highness called Syrian and Turkish counterparts to express the UAE’s solidarity with their countries. He also pledged to offer assistance to them in order to mitigate the impact of the earthquake.

The UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus, the capital of Syria, in 2018, suggesting an effort to bring Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime back into the Arab world after years of boycott.

The 7.8 earthquake struck Syria and Turkey’s southern province of Kahramanmaras on Monday morning. Later on, more than 60 aftershocks were recorded throughout the day. The earthquake destroyed buildings across the two nations.

The confirmed death toll across the two countries due to the devastating earthquake has increased to more than 4,300. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that numbers are expected to rise.

Many countries have vowed to help Turkey and Syria. The UAE is among 45 countries to offer assistance to these countries so far. The UAE has always been a pioneer in sending humanitarian aid to countries in need, irrespective of region, religion and diplomacy. The assistance to Turkey and Syria reiterates UAE’s deep principles and belief in humanity.

Under the directives of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the UAE has always provided humanitarian relief aid to countries in need. The UAE provided aid to Pakistan and Sudan after heavy rain and flash floods in 2022 affected the lives of people.