Advanced Gulf military command in Kuwait

Defense ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states approved, during the 23rd session of the Joint Defense Council, the establishment of an advanced command for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait and the allocation of appropriate forces to it.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed several topics and issues related to developing the system of joint Gulf military operations, alongside adopting a number of decisions and endorsing recommendations aimed at supporting integration among the armed forces of GCC member states, enhancing their readiness, and strengthening their defensive capabilities.

The defense ministers also expressed their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the leaders of the GCC states for their continuous support of the joint military operations and their keen interest in developing the Gulf defense system.

They emphasized that joint Gulf defense efforts represent an impenetrable barrier against various risks and threats, and a protective shield to safeguard national interests and economic resources, thereby advancing the path toward greater security and prosperity.

For his part, GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi stated that joint military operations receive full attention, care, and support from the leaders of the GCC states, reflecting their belief in the cohesive ties binding the member states and their awareness of the responsibility of the armed forces of GCC countries to ensure their security and stability, preserve their integrity and independence, and develop them to meet the hopes and aspirations placed upon them.

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They emphasized that joint Gulf defense efforts represent an impenetrable barrier against various risks and threats and a protective shield to safeguard national interests and economic resources.

Gulf Defense Ministers: Establishment of an Advanced Command for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait

Bahraini Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, emphasized the importance of continuing to develop the joint Gulf defense system to enhance its efficiency and readiness to address various challenges and changes, thereby contributing to achieving common objectives.

This came during a meeting between His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and the heads of delegations participating in the 23rd session of the Joint Defense Council of the GCC states, including Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali and GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi, at the Riffa Palace.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa emphasized the importance of the role played by the Joint Defense Council of the GCC states in strengthening military and defense cooperation and coordination pathways, noting that its meetings provide an opportunity to exchange views and expertise and explore ways to develop joint operational mechanisms, thereby contributing to achieving the desired peace, prosperity, and development.

He pointed out that the trajectory of joint Gulf efforts is moving forward toward more advanced stages of cooperation and integration across various fields, reflecting the fraternal relations and close historical ties binding the GCC states.

In this regard, he reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s commitment, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to strengthen joint defense cooperation and coordination pathways among GCC member states, thereby contributing to consolidating the foundations of security, stability, and development, and achieving the desired objectives and aspirations in line with the visions and aspirations of the leaders of the GCC states.

He also expressed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s pride in the honorable fraternal positions taken by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, which embodied solidarity and close cooperation amid the events and challenges facing the region. The Bahraini Crown Prince affirmed that these positions reflect unity in ranks, objectives, and shared destiny, and demonstrate the depth of fraternal ties among the Council’s member states, as well as their firm resolve to confront challenges, safeguard their assets, and enhance the security and stability of their countries.

For their part, the heads of delegations participating in the meeting and the GCC Secretary-General expressed their profound gratitude and appreciation to the Bahraini Crown Prince for his continuous commitment to supporting the progress of joint GCC cooperation across various fields, particularly in the military and defense sectors.

Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali participated in the 23rd session of the GCC Common Defense Council meeting, attended by the defense ministers of the Gulf states and GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi. The Ministry of Defense stated that the meeting discussed several topics and axes related to developing the joint GCC military cooperation system, alongside adopting a number of decisions and endorsing recommendations aimed at enhancing integration among the armed forces of the member states, strengthening their readiness, and bolstering their defensive capabilities. During the meeting, the defense ministers approved the establishment of an advanced command for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait and the allocation of appropriate forces to it. They also expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation to the leaders of the GCC member states for their continuous support of joint military cooperation and their strong interest in developing the Gulf defense system.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the defense ministers emphasized that joint GCC defense efforts represent an impenetrable barrier against various risks and threats, and a protective shield to safeguard national interests and economic resources, thereby advancing their progress toward greater security and prosperity.

For his part, GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi stated that the defense ministers of the member states had approved during their meeting in Manama the opening of an advanced command for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait and the allocation of appropriate forces to it.

In the opening of his statement, the Secretary-General extended his highest expressions of gratitude, appreciation, and acknowledgment to the Bahraini King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who chairs the current term of the GCC Supreme Council, for his generous support and guidance, and for the vigorous efforts he and the leaders of the GCC member states are making to advance joint GCC cooperation and achieve the Council’s noble objectives.

The Secretary-General emphasized that joint military efforts receive full attention, care, and support from the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, reflecting their conviction in the bonds of cohesion uniting the GCC states and their awareness of the responsibility of the armed forces of GCC countries to ensure security and stability, preserve integrity and independence, and develop and enhance their capabilities to meet the hopes and aspirations placed upon them.

He noted that GCC leaders consistently stress the necessity and importance of strengthening this blessed Gulf trajectory, thereby enabling it to confront current and future challenges and threats. In this context, he highlighted the high-level directives issued by GCC leaders during their extraordinary meeting in Jeddah last April regarding the enhancement of joint Gulf military cooperation, “which reflects a firm Gulf will to safeguard the security and sovereignty of GCC states and strengthen their capacity to face common threats.”

He also addressed the rapid developments in the region, characterized by egregious Iranian aggressions, commending the level of military cooperation and coordination among GCC countries to address these developments and their repercussions. This cohesion and integration in fulfilling their duties “underscore that the security of our countries is a shared Gulf responsibility, and that the concerted military efforts of GCC states enhance their capacity to protect their territories, assets, and the security of their citizens and residents.”

In the same vein, Al-Badawi expressed profound pride and admiration for the courage and high professionalism demonstrated by the armed forces of GCC countries in repelling the brutal Iranian aggressions, and for the sacrifices made by their personnel in fulfilling their national duty, “demonstrating through their steadfastness and loyalty the highest meanings of allegiance and belonging, and proving themselves equal to the responsibility of protecting our homelands and safeguarding their sovereignty.” He prayed to God for mercy for our righteous martyrs during the recent events, asking Almighty God to envelop them in His boundless mercy and forgiveness, grant them spacious Paradise, and inspire their families and loved ones with patience and solace, and to grant the injured swift recovery and complete health.

He added that the sacrifices of our martyrs will remain present in the hearts of the Gulf people and will be a source of pride and honor for future generations.

He also strongly condemned the egregious Iranian aggressions against GCC countries, which caused damage to numerous civilian assets and infrastructure, stating, “We most strongly condemn and denounce the treacherous attacks by the Houthi militia on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its targeting of holy sites, in blatant violation of their sanctity and status among Muslims, and a blatant affront to the security and sovereignty of the Kingdom.”

He affirmed that GCC countries stand as one united front alongside the Kingdom, expressing full solidarity and support for all measures it takes to protect its security, stability, territorial integrity, and sacred sites, driven by the shared Gulf destiny and the firm stance that the security of the Kingdom is an inseparable part of the security of all GCC states.

Bahraini Minister of Defense Affairs, Lieutenant General Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, emphasized the necessity of continuing to intensify cooperation efforts and raising combat readiness levels in light of “the rapid challenges and changes witnessed by our countries and region, and Iran’s continued hostile policy through its proxies in the region, who have repeatedly attacked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a brotherly nation, even going so far as to violate, with no regard whatsoever, the sanctity of the holy sites in the holiest places on Earth, Mecca and Medina.”

This statement was made by Minister Al-Nuaimi during his chairing of the 23rd session of the Joint Defense Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Defense Ministers, attended by the defense ministers of GCC states, including Kuwaiti Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali, and GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Bedawi.

Minister Al-Nuaimi also commended the efforts of the GCC Secretariat General, represented by the Secretary-General, as well as the work undertaken by the chiefs of staff of the armed forces and military affairs at the Secretariat General and the Unified Military Command of the GCC states, and their commitment to continuing the development and enhancement of joint Gulf cooperation, advancing it toward greater integration in the military field and defense cooperation.