His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), stated that Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Defense of the GCC states approved, during their meeting today, the opening of an Advanced Command for the Unified Military Command in the State of Kuwait and the allocation of appropriate forces to it.
This was among the decisions taken during the 23rd session of the GCC Joint Defense Council, held today, Tuesday, 10 November 2026, in Manama, under the chairmanship of His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, Minister of Defense Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chairman of the current session, with the participation of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Defense of the GCC states.
At the outset of his statement, His Excellency the Secretary General extended his highest expressions of thanks, appreciation, and gratitude to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain and President of the current session of the GCC Supreme Council, for his support and gracious directives, and for the tireless endeavours he exerts alongside his brothers, Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC states, to bolster the march of joint Gulf action and achieve the lofty goals of the GCC.
"The GCC's joint military action receives the utmost attention, care, and support from Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC states, stemming from their belief in the bonds of cohesion uniting the member states. This also reflects their awareness of the responsibility of the armed forces in the GCC states to secure their safety and stability, safeguard their independence, and develop and advance them to keep pace with the hopes and aspirations placed upon them," His Excellency explained.
He noted that the Leaders of the GCC states consistently emphasise the necessity and importance of bolstering this blessed Gulf march to equip it with the capacity to confront various current and future challenges and threats. In the same context, His Excellency referred to the supreme directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses the Leaders of the GCC states during their extraordinary meeting in Jeddah last April regarding the reinforcement of joint Gulf military action, underscoring that these directives embody a firm Gulf will to protect the security and sovereignty of the GCC states and strengthen their ability to confront shared threats.
His Excellency also addressed the rapid developments witnessed by the region, represented by the treacherous Iranian attacks, praising the level of military cooperation and coordination among the GCC states to mitigate these developments and their repercussions. He stated that this embodies Gulf cohesion and integration in the performance of their duties, underlining that the security of the GCC states is a shared Gulf responsibility and that the synergy of their military efforts cements their readiness to protect their territories and resources, as well as to safeguard the security of their citizens and residents.
Moreover, His Excellency expressed profound pride and honour in the courage and high efficiency demonstrated by the armed forces of the GCC states in countering the brutal Iranian attacks. He commended the sacrifices made by their personnel in carrying out their national duty, embodying through their steadfastness and dedication the highest meanings of loyalty and belonging, and proving they are fully capable of the responsibility of protecting their homelands and safeguarding their sovereignty. His Excellency prayed to Allah the Almighty to bestow mercy upon the GCC's righteous martyrs who fell during the recent events, to encompass them with His vast mercy and forgiveness, to grant them residence in His spacious gardens, and to inspire their families and relatives with patience and solace. He also prayed for a speedy recovery and full wellness for the injured, underlining that the sacrifices of the GCC's martyrs will remain present in the conscience of the people of the Gulf and serve as a source of pride and honour for future generations.
While His Excellency condemned in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian attacks that targeted the GCC states and caused damage to numerous civilian objects and infrastructure, he also expressed the strongest condemnation and denunciation of the heinous Houthi militia assaults on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its targeting of the holy sites. "These assaults constitute a flagrant violation of their sanctity and status among Muslims, and a blatant transgression against the security and sovereignty of the Kingdom," His Excellency pointed out. He stressed that the GCC states stand united alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in full solidarity with it, and support all measures it takes to defend its security, stability, territorial integrity, and holy sites, emanating from the unity of the Gulf destiny and the firm stance that the security of the Kingdom is an indivisible part of the security of all GCC states.
His Excellency the Secretary General concluded his statement by affirming that the agenda of the 23rd session of the GCC Joint Defense Council included several significant decisions that will propel the GCC's joint Gulf military cooperation toward broader horizons of integration.
