In implementation of the directives of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, at the extraordinary session of the Supreme Council, held on Monday (September 15, 2025) in Doha, that the GCC Joint Defense Council hold an urgent meeting in Doha, preceded by a meeting of the Supreme Military Committee, to assess the defence situation of the GCC states and the sources of threat in light of the Israeli aggression against the sisterly State of Qatar, and to direct the Unified Military Command to take the necessary executive measures to activate joint defence mechanisms and Gulf deterrence capabilities. The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Shaikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs of the State of Qatar and President of the Extraordinary Session of the Joint Defence Council, and attended by Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Ministers of Defence of the GCC states:
His Excellency Mr Mohammed bin Mubarak bin Fadhel Al Mazrouei
Minister of State for Defence Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
His Excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi
Minister of Defence Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
His Highness Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf
Deputy Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Nasser bin Ali Al Zaabi
Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence of the Sultanate of Oman.
His Excellency Shaikh Abdullah Ali Al Abdullah Al Sabah
Minister of Defence of the State of Kuwait.
With the participation of His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the GCC
Their Highnesses and Excellencies members of the Joint Defence Council, discussed issues and topics related to the Israeli aggression and the blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar, threatening its security and stability. The Joint Defence Council condemned in the strongest terms this dangerous military attack, stressing that this aggressive act represents a dangerous and unacceptable escalation and a grave violation of the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
The Council affirmed that the attack on the State of Qatar is an attack on all GCC states, and that it supports them in all measures they take to confront this aggression, to preserve their security and defend their unity and territorial integrity. The Council underscored that this attack poses a direct threat to the security and stability of the entire region and an infringement on the diplomatic and mediation efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages and detainees. They further emphasised that the security of the GCC states is indivisible, in accordance with the provisions of the Joint Defence Agreement. In this regard, the Joint Defence Council decided the following:
1- Increase the exchange of intelligence information through the Unified Military Command.
2- Work to transmit the air situation to all operation centres in the GCC states.
3- Accelerate the work of the Gulf Joint Task Force for the Early Warning System against Ballistic Missiles.
4- Update joint defence plans in coordination between the Unified Military Command and the Operation and Training Committee of the GCC countries.
5- Conduct joint exercises between air operation centres and air defence forces over the next three months, to be followed by a joint actual air exercise.
Their Highnesses and Excellencies agreed to continue work, coordination, and consultation at all military and intelligence levels to further enhance Gulf defence integration and work to intensify and link defence systems to confront all risks and challenges, ensuring the security, stability, and safety of all GCC countries, and confronting any potential threats or attacks that threaten the stability of the region.