GCC Establishes Advanced Military Command in Kuwait to Bolster Regional Defence

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has officially approved the establishment of an Advanced Command for its Unified Military Command, which will be based in Kuwait. This significant decision, made during the 23rd session of the GCC Joint Defence Council in Manama, Bahrain, on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, also includes the allocation of appropriate military forces to support the new command. The meeting was presided over by Bahrain’s Minister of Defence Affairs, Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi, and saw the participation of defence ministers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan bin Ali Al Thani, was among the attendees.

Following the meeting, Sheikh Saoud highlighted on X the critical importance of a unified Gulf stance in confronting regional challenges. He stated that the discussions served as an opportunity to reaffirm the significance of Gulf unity and to advance defence integration, thereby safeguarding the security and stability of member states. He also extended his gratitude to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the meetings and for their hospitality.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi commented that this decision underscores the commitment and backing from GCC state leaders towards joint military action. AlBudaiwi emphasized that the GCC's joint military efforts receive substantial attention and support from the leaders, stemming from their belief in the strong bonds uniting the member states. He further noted that this reflects the leaders' understanding of the armed forces' responsibility in ensuring the safety, stability, and independence of GCC states, and in developing them to meet current and future aspirations.

AlBudaiwi also mentioned that GCC leaders have consistently stressed the necessity of strengthening joint military action to better equip the bloc to address both present and future challenges. He referenced directives from an extraordinary meeting in Jeddah last April, which called for reinforcing joint Gulf military action to protect member states' security and sovereignty and enhance their capacity to confront shared threats.

Addressing recent regional developments, AlBudaiwi commended the military cooperation and coordination among GCC states in response to what he termed Iranian attacks. He asserted that this coordination exemplifies Gulf unity and integration, emphasizing that the security of GCC states is a collective responsibility. AlBudaiwi also lauded the effectiveness and bravery of GCC armed forces in countering these attacks and paid tribute to military personnel who lost their lives, extending condolences to their families and wishing a swift recovery to the injured.

The Secretary-General condemned the Iranian attacks on GCC states, noting that they resulted in damage to civilian objects and infrastructure. He also denounced the Houthi militia's assaults on Saudi Arabia and their targeting of holy sites, describing these actions as a clear violation of their sanctity and a direct transgression against Saudi Arabia's security and sovereignty. AlBudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for the Kingdom's measures to safeguard its security, stability, territorial integrity, and holy sites.

AlBudaiwi concluded by stating that the 23rd session yielded several key decisions aimed at enhancing joint Gulf military cooperation and strengthening integration among member states.

Qatar's persistent advocacy for enhanced Gulf cooperation is noteworthy, as the decision aligns with Qatar's repeated calls for greater coordination among GCC states to tackle shared security concerns. During his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reiterated Qatar's proposal for a regional collective security system founded on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute resolution. Sheikh Tamim indicated that the absence of such a framework has rendered the region more susceptible to conflicts and disruptions impacting critical infrastructure and international navigation.

Speaking at the opening of Qatar’s Shura Council session on October 13, Sheikh Tamim once again underscored the importance of sustained cooperation and coordination among GCC states, particularly in safeguarding maritime routes, energy facilities, and civilian infrastructure. He stated, "These unfortunate events have once again underscored that the security of the region and the world is interconnected, and that destabilization anywhere cannot be isolated from the rest of the world. They also highlighted the necessity of continued cooperation and coordination among the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council." He further emphasized, "The security of the GCC states and the protection of their sovereignty and stability are non-negotiable. This requires us to redouble our efforts to secure navigation in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and to protect energy and water facilities, as well as civil infrastructure. We will continue working with our brothers and international and regional partners to keep our region stable and safe."