During the 168th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council meeting in Bahrain, foreign ministers from the GCC strongly condemned recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s right to self-defense. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani emphasized the interconnected security of GCC states, highlighting the importance of Saudi Arabia’s stability as integral to the region. He specifically denounced the targeting of civilians, airports, and other civilian infrastructure, classifying these actions as clear violations of international law.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi echoed these sentiments by warning about the threats such attacks pose to regional security and stability. Albudaiwi called for international measures to halt the continued assaults on key infrastructures such as airports and energy facilities, and to hold those responsible accountable.
In addition to addressing the attacks, the ministers discussed broader regional issues, including the escalating tensions in Yemen and threats to maritime navigation in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Strait of Hormuz. Albudaiwi also condemned Iranian actions against GCC countries, stressing the necessity of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The meeting was succeeded by the ninth joint ministerial meeting of the Gulf-Russia Strategic Dialogue. This session focused on enhancing cooperation and exchanging perspectives on various regional and international matters.
