Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) defense ministers have approved the establishment of an advanced command for the Unified Military Command based in Kuwait, allocating dedicated forces to the new structure.
The decision was reached during the 23rd session of the GCC Joint Defense Council held in Manama, Bahrain. The meeting was chaired by Lieutenant General Abdullah bin Hassan Al-Nuaimi, Bahrain’s Minister of Defense Affairs and current council president.
Regional analysts and commentators described the move as a significant step forward in strengthening collective Gulf security.
Dr. Ayed Al-Manna, a political researcher, emphasized that the initiative is both necessary and urgent to ensure collective Gulf security through a dedicated force protecting GCC member states, regardless of internal divisions.
Al-Manna noted that unprovoked Iranian aggression against GCC states highlights the imperative of maintaining comprehensive, ongoing readiness to deter external threats.
The Gulf region confronts multiple threats, chief among them the Iranian axis and its regional proxies, including militias in Iraq, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Al-Manna added that security challenges extend beyond these actors, citing threats linked to Israel and concerns over the “Greater Israel” project.
He pointed out that instability in several regional countries, coupled with ambitions to target the Gulf, makes it critical to enhance military readiness and activate the unified Gulf force.
“This measure should have been implemented long ago to strengthen the security of all GCC member states,” he remarked.
He stressed the need to equip Gulf forces with the requisite military components and capabilities to deter and respond to external aggression, fulfilling the collective security requirements of the council’s members.
Abdullatif Al Mulhem, a former Saudi military officer, stated that establishing the Unified Military Command is a vital step toward deepening joint Gulf military cooperation.
He added that the move is essential in light of current regional security developments, which require greater coordination and readiness among Gulf armed forces.
Al Mulhem explained that the decision’s military significance lies in strengthening the organizational framework of joint military action through an advanced command. The step is expected to improve coordination among Gulf forces and enhance their capacity to address shared challenges and threats.
Saudi Arabia is slated to host the next Joint Defense Council meeting, an announcement made by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman during the Manama session.