Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have agreed to establish an advanced headquarters for the group’s Unified Military Command in Kuwait. The decision, announced by the GCC’s General Secretariat on Tuesday, follows a meeting of defense ministers from member states held in Bahrain.
The announcement stated that the GCC states would station “appropriate” military forces at the new facility. However, specific details regarding the size, composition, or type of troops to be deployed have not been disclosed. The GCC is composed of six member states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Strengthening Regional Defense
In a statement released after the ministers’ meeting, the GCC emphasized the necessity of strengthening defense coordination to address current and future regional challenges. The group noted that its leaders consistently highlight the importance of this effort to confront various threats.
The Unified Military Command was originally established at a summit in Kuwait in December 2013. Its mandate is to oversee joint military operations and enhance collective defense capabilities against threats to the territory, airspace, maritime areas, and interests of member states.
Regional Security Context
The move comes as the Gulf region faces heightened security pressures. Most Gulf countries host major United States military installations. These nations were targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks in the weeks following the start of the US-Israel war on Iran on February 28.
The conflict has disrupted air travel and shipping routes, raising concerns about the security of the region’s vital oil and gas exports. Additionally, the war has reignited fighting in Yemen, where escalating clashes between Iran-aligned Houthis and Saudi-backed government forces have increased regional uncertainty.
A United Nations-brokered ceasefire that had largely been in place since 2022 collapsed in July. The Houthis have targeted sites across Saudi Arabia, including the capital, Riyadh. Last month, an attack by the armed group on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 14 people and wounded more than 300 others, marking the deadliest assault on the kingdom in over a decade.
Source: Al Jazeera
