GCC defense ministers agree to strengthen the Unified Military Command and assign forces to its forward headquarters, with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman participating in the meeting and member states reaffirming solidarity with the Kingdom against Houthi attacks.

Manama | BETH

November 10, 2026

Defense ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries approved the establishment of a forward headquarters for the Unified Military Command in Kuwait on Tuesday, with appropriate forces to be assigned to it, in a move aimed at strengthening military integration and joint defense readiness.

The decision was made during the 23rd session of the GCC Joint Defense Council, held in Bahrain's capital, Manama, and chaired by Bahraini Minister of Defense Affairs Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al Nuaimi. The meeting brought together defense ministers from the six member states and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

Saudi Participation and Defense Integration

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman led the Kingdom's delegation, emphasizing the importance of continued Gulf military coordination and cooperation to address challenges and threats and safeguard the security and stability of GCC countries.

He welcomed the meeting's outcomes, which aim to strengthen defense integration and readiness, and expressed Saudi Arabia's willingness to host the next round of joint Gulf military meetings at various levels.

Condemnation of Attacks Against Saudi Arabia

The GCC Secretary-General condemned Iranian attacks targeting member states and causing damage to civilian facilities and infrastructure.

He also condemned attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of holy sites, reaffirming the Gulf states' full solidarity with the Kingdom and their support for its measures to protect its security, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and holy sites.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia's security is an inseparable part of collective Gulf security.

BETH Analysis | From Coordination to Operational Readiness

The decision to establish a forward military headquarters in Kuwait represents a step toward strengthening the operational capabilities of the Gulf defense system and advancing military cooperation beyond coordination toward greater integration in the field.

The decision is particularly significant amid missile and drone threats, as well as risks to critical infrastructure and maritime routes.

Although details of the force size and the headquarters' operational launch date have not been announced, the decision to assign forces gives the initiative a dimension beyond administrative coordination.

The Manama meeting signals that Gulf states are moving to strengthen their collective defense framework, based on the principle that the security of each member state is directly linked to the security of all six GCC countries.