Gulf Arab states approve military command headquarters in Kuwait

The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states on Tuesday approved the establishment of an ​advanced headquarters for their Unified Military Command ‌in Kuwait and the deployment of “appropriate” forces to it, the GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said.

Albudaiwi said the decision was approved during the 23rd session of the Joint Defence Council, held in Bahrain’s capital, Manama, according to a statement issued by the bloc.

The GCC secretary-general stressed that GCC leaders attach great importance to joint military cooperation, recognising the role of their armed forces in safeguarding regional security, stability and sovereignty.

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Albudaiwi said the meeting’s agenda included several significant decisions aimed at expanding military cooperation and advancing defence integration among member states, without providing further details.

The meeting was chaired by Bahrain’s Minister of Defence Affairs Lt Gen Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, with the participation of defence ministers from the five other member states of the bloc.

No further details on the ​headquarters or the forces to be deployed ​were immediately available.

The meeting came amid heightened regional tensions, including Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, concerns over renewed military confrontation between the US and Iran, and continued disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The war has disrupted air travel and shipping, and raised ⁠concerns ​over the security of the ​region’s vital oil and gas exports.

The GCC established its Unified Military Command ​at a summit in Kuwait in December 2013 to ‌plan ⁠and manage joint military operations and strengthen member states’ defence capabilities against potential threats to their territory, airspace, waters and interests.

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The latest decision follows an October 29 meeting of GCC armed forces chiefs of staff in Manama, where military leaders discussed strengthening defence cooperation and coordination in response to regional security challenges.

The GCC, established in 1981, is a six-member regional organisation comprising Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, aimed at promoting political, economic and security cooperation.