Gulf Cooperation Council Defense Ministers approved on Tuesday the establishment of an advanced forward command for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait, with appropriate forces allocated to it, Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi announced.
The decision was made at the 23rd meeting of the GCC Joint Defense Council in Manama, chaired by Bahraini Defense Minister Lt General Abdullah Al-Nuaimi and attended by the six member states’ Defense Ministers, Gulf news agencies reported.
Al-Budaiwi said joint military cooperation enjoys the full support of GCC leaders, recalling their directives at an extraordinary summit in Jeddah last April to strengthen military coordination and confront common threats.
He further highlighted Iranian attacks against GCC states, praising the military cooperation demonstrated by member countries and stressing that their security is a shared responsibility. He also paid tribute to GCC military personnel killed while defending their countries and praised the Armed Forces’ courage and professionalism.
The Secretary-General condemned attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructure across GCC states, as well as Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, particularly the targeting of holy sites. He reaffirmed the GCC’s full solidarity with the kingdom, stressing that its security is inseparable from that of other member states.
Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa received the participating delegations at Riffa Palace. Prince Salman stressed the need to further develop the GCC’s joint defense system and enhance its readiness to address regional challenges.
In another development, the Chief of the General Staff of the Kuwait Army Lt General Khaled Al-Shuraian met Saudi Armed Forces Operations Chief Major General Misfer bin Suwailim Al-Ghanim on Monday to discuss issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries.
The General Staff said in a statement that the meeting reviewed areas of joint military cooperation and ways to develop them in the interests of both countries. Senior officers from both sides attended the meeting, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Theyab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi, Chief of Staff of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), received Major General Abdulaziz Ahmed Al Balawi, Commander of the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The Chief of Staff commended the efforts made by the Unified Military Command to strengthen joint Gulf military cooperation and consolidate the unity of the GCC countries. (Sources & Photo © Gulf News Agencies)
