KUWAIT: Kuwait bid farewell Thursday afternoon to Kuwait Air Force Pilot Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Mahmoud Abdulrasoul who died in a jet crash during a military exercise on Wednesday. The Ministry of Defense stated in a press release that the funeral was attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Chief of General Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Pilot Bandar Al-Muzayen, Undersecretary of the defense ministry Sheikh Dr Abdullah Mishaal Al-Sabah, and Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Army Major General Pilot Sabah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, along with several senior military leaders and a large number of citizens and residents.

“Today, we bid farewell to one of the loyal sons of the nation, who was an example of dedication and loyalty in fulfilling his military duties,” said Sheikh Fahad, who considered Captain Abdulrasoul’s martyrdom “a loss for the armed forces.” “He will remain in our memories; he was among our finest men and one of the heroes who did not hesitate to offer everything for this nation and to protect its security,” he said.

“In such difficult moments, we stand united with the martyr’s family, and we pledge to God and the nation that the sacrifices of our martyrs will remain a guiding light in our journey, and we will not forget what Martyr Mohammad contributed as we continue to fulfill our duties in defending the soil of this beloved nation.”

Sheikh Yousef also announced that an immediate investigation committee has been formed to determine the circumstances of the incident and ensure that such occurrences do not happen again, emphasizing that the Kuwaiti army is doing its utmost to ensure the safety of its personnel and to develop their capabilities.

“Kuwait is proud of its sons who sacrificed their most valuable possessions in order to fulfill their national duty and to give everything for it,” Chief of Staff Al-Muzayen said. He prayed to God Almighty to grant patience and solace to the martyr’s family, and to reward them for the martyrdom of their beloved son, asking Allah to place him among the martyrs and the righteous.

On Wednesday, Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Hamad Al-Saqr announced the crash of an F-18 fighter jet belonging to the Kuwait Air Force and the martyrdom of its pilot while carrying out a training flight mission in the north of the country.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent on Thursday a cable of condolences to the family of deceased. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sent condolences to the family, as well. Officials in neighboring countries have mourned the pilot in separate statements to KUNA, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan. — KUNA