GCC Interior Ministers: Security Readiness to Address Developments

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, affirmed the depth of the close, firm, and enduring historical fraternal relations and the strong ties that unite the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states across all fields, which were established by the leaders of the Council states.

The Bahrain News Agency reported that this statement came during the Bahraini King’s reception of the interior ministers of the GCC member states and Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali, who participated on behalf of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef in the 43rd meeting of the interior ministers of the Council states, held in Manama.

At the outset of the meeting, the Bahraini King welcomed the ministers, wishing their meeting every success and prosperity in serving the blessed progress of the GCC states and their brotherly peoples. He praised their clear and successful efforts to support joint Gulf security work, aiming for greater cooperation, coordination, integration, and interconnection among the GCC states to enhance the Gulf security system and to carry out their noble mission efficiently and competently in preserving security and stability, fostering reassurance, and safeguarding citizens’ safety, which has earned them the trust and respect of the citizens of the Council states.

During the meeting, he pointed out that the region is witnessing developments, challenges, and new security developments that necessitate coordination, intensification of efforts, and enhancement of security cooperation among our brotherly states to confront various challenges.

He affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s full solidarity with and complete support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, backing all measures taken to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability, protect its citizens and residents on its soil, and uphold its right to self-defense. He stressed that the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the security of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the GCC security system.

He reiterated the Kingdom of Bahrain’s condemnation and strong denunciation of the continued terrorist attacks launched by the terrorist Houthis militia against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, considering them a blatant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty.

He also praised the unity and solidarity of the Council states in confronting the reprehensible Iranian aggression, affirming that the Council states stand as one front against any threat targeting their security, stability, sovereignty, and the safety of their citizens.

He expressed his appreciation for the active role of the GCC Council and its efforts in consolidating the foundations of security and stability, enhancing peace in the region, and the high status it enjoys regionally and internationally, as well as the qualitative achievements it has realized throughout this blessed journey, particularly in security fields.

For his part, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, affirmed that the close bonds, fraternal ties, and shared history linking the GCC member states serve as a starting point for continuing to enhance Gulf cooperation and integration toward higher levels that contribute to realizing the aspirations of the Council states and their people.

His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of Bahraini ruler King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is continuing its supportive approach toward all initiatives that enhance the progress of joint Gulf work and strengthen partnerships among the Council states, thereby realizing the visions and aspirations of the Council states’ leaders.

The ministers conveyed greetings from the leaders of the GCC member states to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, who in turn conveyed his greetings to them and expressed his wishes for their success and the achievement of their desired goals. He highlighted the importance of continuing to build on what has been achieved within the framework of joint Gulf work and enhancing efforts aimed at expanding the horizons of cooperation and joint security work, thereby supporting the exchange of expertise and experiences, contributing to the development of Gulf work areas, and achieving

Shared aspirations and goals of the GCC member states. Bahrain reaffirmed its full solidarity with and complete support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, backing all measures taken to safeguard its sovereignty, security, stability, and the protection of its citizens and residents, as well as its right to self-defense. It emphasized that the security of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of Bahrain’s security and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) system. Bahrain reiterated its strong condemnation and rejection of the ongoing terrorist attacks carried out by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia, deeming them a blatant violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty.

It praised the unity and solidarity of GCC member states in confronting the reprehensible Iranian aggression, affirming that the GCC countries stand united against any threat targeting their security, stability, sovereignty, and the safety of their citizens. It expressed appreciation for the GCC’s active role and its efforts to consolidate security and stability, enhance peace in the region, and its esteemed regional and international standing, as well as the qualitative achievements realized throughout this distinguished journey, particularly in security fields.

Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali, representing First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousif, chaired the Kuwaiti delegation participating in the 43rd meeting of GCC Interior Ministers held in the sister Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting was attended by the Interior Ministers of GCC countries and GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi.

The Ministry of Interior stated in a statement received by KUNA that the Kuwaiti delegation included Deputy Minister of Interior Major General Abdulwahab Al-Wahab and several security officials.

The Defense Minister expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the sister Kingdom of Bahrain for the warm reception, hospitality, and efforts made to ensure the success of the meeting. He commended the role of the GCC General Secretariat in monitoring the implementation of decisions and joint security projects, and reaffirmed Kuwait’s commitment to continuing its support for the progress of Gulf security cooperation in line with the aspirations of GCC leaders and their peoples.

The Interior Ministers of GCC member states discussed the submitted recommendations, which were approved to enhance security cooperation and coordination among member states and support the progress of joint Gulf security integration.

For his part, GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi emphasized that security integration among GCC member states constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of the Gulf security and stability system. This was stated during Al-Budaiwi’s address at the 43rd meeting of GCC Interior Ministers, chaired by Bahraini Interior Minister Major General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.

Al-Budaiwi said that the achieved joint security cooperation and coordination reflect the strength of Gulf ties, unity of position and destiny, and demonstrate the GCC countries’ ability to operate through an integrated security system to protect their gains, safeguard their sovereignty, and preserve the security of their peoples.

The Secretary-General stressed that the security of GCC member states is indivisible, and any threat to the security of any member state is a threat to the entire Gulf security system. He noted that the rapid security changes and developments witnessed in the region highlighted the importance of Gulf security integration and enhanced the readiness and capability of GCC security agencies to efficiently and effectively handle various developments.

He affirmed that continuous coordination, unified efforts, and exchange of expertise among GCC Interior Ministries have contributed to consolidating the foundations of a joint security system that has become an exemplary model of collective action in facing challenges and protecting security and stability. He expressed his profound

He expressed pride and admiration for the high level of competence, courage, and dedication shown by the interior ministries and security agencies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in discharging their national duties during the response to the repercussions of Iran’s blatant aggression against GCC countries. He commended the sacrifices made by Gulf security personnel, which embodied the highest ideals of loyalty, belonging, and devotion in safeguarding the homelands and preserving their sovereignty.

He affirmed that these honorable stances will remain a testament to the strength of Gulf cohesion, the resilience of the regional security architecture, and a national and Gulf legacy from which future generations will draw inspiration regarding the meanings of sacrifice and selflessness.

The Secretary-General recalled with reverence and respect the martyrs of duty who gave their lives in defense of their nations’ security and the safety of their peoples, praying to God Almighty to envelop them in His boundless mercy, grant them a spacious place in Paradise, and bestow swift healing upon the injured. He emphasized that their sacrifices will continue to be a source of pride and appreciation for the citizens of the GCC states.

In a related context, Al-Badawi strongly condemned the treacherous attacks launched by the Houthi militia against the sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including strikes on holy sites, considering such acts a blatant violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy places and an unacceptable assault on the Kingdom’s security and sovereignty.

He affirmed that the GCC states stand as one united front alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, expressing their full solidarity and support for all measures undertaken to protect its security, stability, territorial integrity, and sacred sites, driven by the shared Gulf destiny and the firmly established principle that the security of the Kingdom is an inseparable part of the security of all GCC states.

The Secretary-General noted that, thanks to the directives of the GCC heads of state and the efforts of the interior ministers, Gulf security cooperation has achieved numerous qualitative accomplishments that have strengthened joint security efforts and consolidated the GCC’s position as a regional and global model in security cooperation and integration.

He emphasized that these achievements convey a clear Gulf message to the world: that the security of the Gulf is a single, shared destiny, and that Gulf unity and the integration of its security apparatuses constitute a fundamental guarantee for protecting the security of its states and the stability of their peoples.