Doha – Agencies
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s Joint Defense Council met in Doha and approved five measures aimed at strengthening defense capabilities following the Israeli attack on Qatar. These plans include expediting the work of the Joint Gulf Task Force for an early warning system against ballistic missiles and enhancing intelligence sharing via a unified military command.
The council also emphasized updating joint defense strategies and conducting cooperative exercises between air operations centers and air defense over the next three months, leading to a joint live aerial drill. The council condemned the Israeli aggression, labeling it a breach of international law.
During an extraordinary session held yesterday in Doha, the council underscored that any attack on Qatar represents an attack on all GCC member states, reiterating full support for any actions Qatar undertakes to ensure its security and protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A range of decisions were approved, including the enhancement of intelligence sharing through the unified military command, ensuring that all operational centers within the member states have a clear picture of aerial situations, and speeding up the initiatives of the joint Gulf Task Force for the early warning system against ballistic missiles.
The plan also involves updating common defense strategies in coordination with the unified military command and the operations and training committee of the GCC. Additionally, joint exercises between air operations and air defense centers are to be conducted in the upcoming three months, followed by a real joint air drill.
This meeting was chaired by Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense, with the participation of defense ministers from the GCC states.
Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, affirmed that the attack on Qatar represents a direct threat to the security and stability of the whole region. He stressed that the aggression undermines diplomatic efforts by Qatar aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza and securing the release of hostages and detainees, emphasizing that the security of the GCC states is indivisible, as stated in the joint defense agreement.
The GCC defense ministers also agreed to continue collaboration and consultation at all military and intelligence levels to enhance Gulf defense integration.
Efforts will be made to strengthen and interlink defense systems to face all threats and challenges, ensuring the security, stability, and safety of all GCC countries and addressing any potential threats or aggressions that could destabilize the region.
It is important to note that this meeting was held in response to directives from GCC leaders during the extraordinary summit last Monday in Doha, aimed at evaluating the defense posture of member states and identifying threats in light of the Israeli aggressions against Qatar. This includes directing the unified military command to implement necessary measures to activate joint defense mechanisms and enhance Gulf deterrence capabilities.