The six Gulf Cooperation Council states have approved a forward headquarters for their joint military command in Kuwait and agreed to allocate military forces to it.
The decision is intended to strengthen collective defense amid Iranian and Houthi attacks and threats to shipping and energy infrastructure, Vesti Baku reported.
The agreement was reached Nov. 10 at the 23rd meeting of the GCC Joint Defense Council in Manama. Defense ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman attended.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the forward headquarters would operate as part of the Gulf states’ existing Unified Military Command. Its main center is in Riyadh and coordinates joint operations among the six countries’ armed forces.
The size and composition of the forces to be assigned to Kuwait, the headquarters’ launch date and its specific operational powers have not been disclosed.
Kuwait Offers Strategic Northern Gulf Location
Kuwait lies in the northern Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq and Saudi Arabia and facing Iran. The forward headquarters is expected to shorten coordination and deployment times closer to potential areas of tension.
The move follows instructions from Gulf leaders to accelerate military integration and develop a joint ballistic-missile warning system.
Regional states have faced Iranian missile and drone attacks, Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months.
The GCC Unified Military Command was established in 2013 to plan joint operations and protect member states’ territory, airspace, maritime zones and strategic facilities.