During the 168th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council held in Bahrain, foreign ministers from the GCC condemned the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. They emphasized the Kingdom’s right to self-defense, highlighting the critical importance of Saudi security to the entire region. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani articulated this sentiment, stressing that attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure are violations of international law and are unacceptable.
Further condemnation was voiced by GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi, who underscored the threat these attacks pose to regional security and stability. He urged for international intervention to halt these assaults and to ensure accountability for those responsible. The council’s discussions also addressed broader regional tensions, including developments in Yemen and threats to maritime navigation in strategic areas like the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Strait of Hormuz.
The meeting, which gathered representatives from GCC member states, also featured discussions on Iranian aggression towards GCC countries. Albudaiwi emphasized the necessity of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity amidst these challenges.
Following the GCC meeting, the ninth joint ministerial meeting of the Gulf-Russia Strategic Dialogue took place. This session focused on enhancing cooperation and exchanging perspectives on both regional and international issues, reflecting the ongoing efforts to reinforce strategic partnerships and address shared concerns.