GCC Boosts Military Integration with New Advanced Command in Kuwait

Defence ministers from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) have given their approval for the establishment of an advanced command within the bloc's Unified Military Command, which will be based in Kuwait. This strategic move aims to deepen military integration among the six member states, with forces to be allocated to the new command. The announcement was made on Tuesday by GCC Secretary General Jasem Al Budaiwi following the 23rd session of the GCC Joint Defence Council. This session was held in Manama, Bahrain, and chaired by Bahrain's Defence Minister, Lt Gen Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi.

The new advanced command will operate as an extension of the existing Unified Military Command, whose headquarters are currently located in Riyadh. The GCC initially established the unified command to enhance military integration and coordination between the armed forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Details regarding the number and composition of forces to be assigned to the new command, its specific responsibilities, and its operational start date were not disclosed. However, Mr Al Budaiwi stated that this decision is part of a broader set of measures agreed upon during Tuesday's meeting to further joint Gulf military cooperation and integration.

He also highlighted directives from GCC leaders at an extraordinary meeting in Jeddah in April, which emphasized strengthening joint military action. These directives reflect a unified commitment to safeguarding the security and sovereignty of member states and enhancing their capacity to address shared threats. At their April meeting, Gulf leaders also called for the accelerated completion of a regional joint missile warning system, underscoring the importance of intensifying military integration and expediting the early warning system project against ballistic missiles, as previously stated by Mr Al Budaiwi.

This latest development occurs amidst heightened regional security concerns, including recent Iranian attacks on GCC countries, Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, apprehensions regarding potential renewed military confrontation between the US and Iran, and ongoing disruptions to maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Mr Al Budaiwi commended the coordination among Gulf militaries in their response to Iranian attacks, emphasizing that the security of member states is a collective responsibility.

The decision also follows a meeting of GCC armed forces' chiefs of staff in Manama on October 29, where military leaders discussed enhancing defense cooperation and coordination in response to prevailing regional security challenges. Mr Al Budaiwi reiterated the bloc's dedication to collective security and condemned Iran's attacks on GCC states and the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, which have resulted in damage to civilian facilities and infrastructure.