Al-Badawi: Gulf Defense Ministers Approve Opening Advanced Command for Unified Military Command in Kuwait

- GCC Secretary General: Appropriate forces will be assigned to it

The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Al-Bedawi, 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 assignment of appropriate forces to it, as part of the decisions taken during the 23rd session of the GCC Joint Defense Council, held today, Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in Manama. The session was chaired by His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Naimi, Minister of Defense Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who serves as the current session president, with the participation of Their Highnesses and Excellencies, the defense ministers of the GCC member states.

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, the current president of the GCC Supreme Council, for his generous support and guidance, and for the strenuous efforts he undertakes alongside Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC member states, to strengthen the trajectory of joint Gulf cooperation and achieve the lofty objectives of the Council.

The Secretary General emphasized that joint military efforts by Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC member states, receive full attention, care, and support, reflecting their conviction in the bonds of cohesion uniting the GCC states and their awareness of the responsibility of the armed forces of the member states to ensure security and stability, preserve integrity and independence, and develop and enhance these forces to meet the hopes and aspirations placed upon them.

The leaders of the GCC member states consistently reaffirm the necessity and importance of strengthening this blessed Gulf trajectory, thereby equipping it with the capacity to confront various present and future challenges and threats. In this context, His Excellency highlighted the high-level directives issued by Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC member states, may God protect and guard them, during their extraordinary meeting held in Jeddah last April, regarding the enhancement of joint Gulf military cooperation. These directives reflect a firm Gulf resolve to safeguard the security and sovereignty of the GCC member states and to strengthen their capacity to address common threats.

He also addressed the rapid developments in the region, particularly Iranian aggressive attacks, commending the high level of military cooperation and coordination among the GCC member states in responding to these developments and their repercussions. This cooperation exemplifies Gulf cohesion and integration in fulfilling their duties, and underscores that the security of our nations is a shared Gulf responsibility. The concerted military efforts of the member states enhance their capacity to protect their territories and assets, and to safeguard the security of their citizens and residents.

In the same vein, Al-Bedawi expressed profound pride and honor in the courage and high professionalism demonstrated by the armed forces of the GCC member states in repelling the brazen Iranian attacks, and in the sacrifices made by their personnel in fulfilling their national duty. Their steadfastness and loyalty embody the highest meanings of allegiance and patriotism, proving that they are equal to the responsibility of protecting our homelands and safeguarding their sovereignty. He prayed to God for mercy upon our righteous martyrs during the recent events, asking Almighty God to envelop them in His boundless mercy and forgiveness, grant them spacious abodes in 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. The sacrifices of our martyrs will remain present in the hearts of the Gulf people, serving as a source of pride and honor for future generations.

Furthermore, while we strongly condemn the grave Iranian aggressions against the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which have caused damage to numerous civilian assets and infrastructure, we also strongly condemn and denounce the treacherous attacks by the Houthi militia on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of holy sites. These acts constitute a blatant violation of the sanctity and revered status of these sites among Muslims, and represent a flagrant assault on the security and sovereignty of the Kingdom. We reaffirm the unity of the GCC states in standing shoulder to shoulder with the Kingdom, expressing their full solidarity and support for all measures it undertakes to safeguard its security, stability, territorial integrity, and holy sites, in light of the shared destiny of the Gulf region and the firm conviction that the security of the Kingdom is an integral 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 will advance our joint Gulf military cooperation to broader horizons of integration.