Gulf States Approve Opening of Advanced Command for Unified Military Command in Kuwait - Sarmad

The 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 today, 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 during the 23rd session of the GCC Common Defense Council, held today, Tuesday, in Manama, under the chairmanship of Bahrain’s Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, who presided over the current session, with the participation of the defense ministers of the GCC member states.

At the outset of his statement, Al-Bedaiwi extended his highest expressions of gratitude, appreciation, and thanks to the Chairman of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, for his generous support and guidance, and for the strenuous efforts he and the leaders of the GCC member states are making to enhance the trajectory of joint Gulf cooperation and achieve the high objectives of the Council.

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

He further noted that the leaders of the GCC member states consistently stress the importance of strengthening this blessed Gulf trajectory, which provides the capacity to confront various present and future challenges and threats. In this context, he referred to the high directives issued by the leaders during their extraordinary meeting in Jeddah last April, aimed at enhancing joint Gulf military cooperation, which reflect a firm Gulf will to safeguard the security and sovereignty of the member states and strengthen their ability to face common threats.

Al-Bedaiwi addressed the rapid developments in the region, characterized by reprehensible Iranian aggressions, commending the level of military cooperation and coordination among the GCC member states in responding to these developments and their repercussions. He highlighted that this cooperation exemplifies Gulf cohesion and integration in fulfilling their duties, reaffirming 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.

In the same vein, he expressed profound pride and honor in the courage and high professionalism demonstrated by the armed forces of the GCC member states in repelling the brutal Iranian aggressions, and in the sacrifices made by their personnel in fulfilling their national duty. Their steadfastness and loyalty embody the highest meanings of allegiance and belonging, proving they are 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 past events, asking the Almighty to envelop them in His boundless mercy and forgiveness, grant them spacious paradise, and inspire their families and loved ones with patience and solace. He also prayed for the swift recovery and complete well-being of the injured, affirming 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 reprehensible Iranian aggressions against the GCC member states, which caused damage to numerous civilian facilities and infrastructure. He strongly denounced and expressed outrage over the treacherous attacks by the Houthi militia on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of holy sites, which constitutes a blatant violation of their sanctity and status among Muslims, and a blatant transgression against the security and sovereignty of the Kingdom.

He highlighted the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states’ unified stance in support of the Kingdom, their full solidarity with it, and their backing of all measures it has taken to safeguard its security, stability, territorial integrity, and sacred sites, driven by the shared Gulf destiny and the firm conviction 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 included several important decisions that would advance joint Gulf military cooperation to broader horizons of integration.