GCC Secretary General: Gulf Defense Ministers Approve Opening of Advanced Command for Unified Military Command in Kuwait

Manama -- Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Bedaiwi stated that the defense ministers of the GCC member states approved, during their meeting in Manama on Tuesday, the establishment of an advanced command for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait and the allocation of appropriate forces to it. This decision was among those adopted at the 23rd session of the GCC Common Defense Council, chaired by Bahrain’s Minister of Defense, Major General Abdullah Al-Naimi, and attended by the defense ministers of the GCC member states, including Kuwait’s Minister of Defense, Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah.

At the outset of his statement, the GCC Secretary-General extended his highest expressions of gratitude, appreciation, and acknowledgment to the Bahraini King, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who presided over the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, for his generous support and guidance, as well as for the strenuous efforts he has undertaken, along with the leaders of the GCC member states, to strengthen the trajectory of joint Gulf cooperation and achieve the Council’s lofty objectives.

The Secretary-General emphasized that joint military efforts receive full attention, care, and support from the leaders of the GCC member states, reflecting their conviction in the bonds of cohesion uniting the GCC countries and their awareness of the responsibility of the armed forces in ensuring the security, stability, integrity, and independence of their nations, as well as developing them to meet the high hopes and aspirations placed upon them.

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

He also addressed the rapid developments in the region, characterized by egregious Iranian aggression, commending the level of military cooperation and coordination among the GCC member states in responding to these developments and their repercussions, which exemplify Gulf cohesion and complementarity in fulfilling their duties. “This cooperation underscores that the security of our countries is a shared Gulf responsibility, and that the concerted efforts of their militaries enhance their capacity to protect their territories, assets, and the security of their citizens and residents,” he said.

In the same vein, Al-Bedaiwi expressed profound pride and admiration for the courage and high professionalism demonstrated by the armed forces of the GCC member states in repelling the egregious Iranian attacks, 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 to have mercy on our righteous martyrs during the recent events, to envelop them in His boundless mercy and forgiveness, to grant them spacious abodes in Paradise, to 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 consciousness of the Gulf people and serve as a source of pride and honor for future generations. He also strongly condemned the egregious Iranian attacks that targeted GCC member states and caused damage to numerous civilian assets and infrastructure, stating, “We strongly denounce and condemn in the strongest terms the treacherous attacks by the Houthi militia on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their 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 reaffirmed that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states stand as one united front in support of the Kingdom, expressing their full solidarity and backing for all measures it takes to safeguard its security, stability, territorial integrity, and holy sites, based on the shared Gulf destiny and the firm stance that the Kingdom’s security is an inseparable part of the security of all GCC member states. The Secretary-General concluded his statement by emphasizing that the agenda of the 23rd session of the GCC Common Defense Council includes several important decisions that will advance joint Gulf military cooperation to broader horizons of integration. (End) K.N.A. / A.M.S.