Gulf States Bolster Defense Coordination Following Attack on Doha, Announce Five Key Decisions
RIYADH – The Joint Defense Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened an emergency meeting and issued five decisions aimed at strengthening regional security following a recent attack on Doha, Qatar. The Council condemned the attack as a disruption to Qatar’s diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages and detainees. This move signals a unified front among GCC nations, reaffirming the principle of collective security as outlined in their joint defense agreement.
The heightened tensions and the evolving security landscape prompted the Council to accelerate defense integration initiatives. These decisions represent a notable step towards a more coordinated and robust defense posture for the GCC, impacting the stability of the region and the safety of its member states.The immediate focus will be on enhanced intelligence sharing, improved early warning systems, and joint military exercises.
Among the key decisions, the council approved an increase in the exchange of intelligence data through the unified military leadership, alongside efforts to share airspace imagery from operating centers across member states. Work will be expedited on a Gulf joint work team dedicated to an early warning system against ballistic missiles,with existing joint defense plans to be updated in coordination between the unified military leadership and the Operations and Training Committee.
Further solidifying this commitment, the Council mandated the implementation of joint exercises between air operations and air defense centers within the next three months, to be followed by a comprehensive, live-fire air exercise.
Members of the Council affirmed their commitment to continued collaboration, coordination, and consultation at all military and intelligence levels. The overarching goal is to enhance Gulf defense integration, intensify the linking of defense systems, and proactively address potential threats to the security, stability, and safety of the GCC countries and the broader region.