Gulf states hold extraordinary meeting in Riyadh on military coordination

RIYADH — Gulf Cooperation Council states held an extraordinary meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday to discuss military cooperation, according to Anadolu Agency. The meeting was held by the GCC Armed Forces Operations and Training Committee, according to a statement from the UAE Defence Ministry.

The ministry said the meeting took place at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat. It did not disclose the names of the participants. According to the statement, the discussions covered "several issues aimed at strengthening joint military cooperation in operations and training," as well as "developing coordination and integration mechanisms" among Gulf armed forces.

The ministry said the talks also sought to "support joint Gulf defense efforts and enhance military readiness and efficiency in the fields of operations and training." The statement did not detail any decisions made at the meeting.

The statement did not directly mention Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Anadolu reported. The GCC has not issued a statement on the meeting so far, the agency said.

The meeting comes amid escalating attacks by Yemen's Houthi group on Saudi Arabia, according to Anadolu. It also takes place alongside Gulf and international efforts to halt them. On Sunday, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi called for "effective" international action against the Houthi group at the close of a ministerial meeting in Manama, the agency reported.

Background

The GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, according to Anadolu.

Anadolu reported that Yemen has seen military escalation since July between government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the Houthis. The period before that was relatively calm, under a truce that began in April 2022. The conflict in Yemen began in September 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and several provinces, the agency said.