During the 168th meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council in Bahrain, foreign ministers strongly condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, affirming the Kingdom’s right to self-defense. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani emphasized the interconnected security of Saudi Arabia with all GCC member states and criticized the targeting of civilians and infrastructure as violations of international law.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi echoed the condemnation, highlighting the threats posed by continued assaults on Saudi airports, energy facilities, and other civilian infrastructures. He called for international intervention to halt these attacks and hold the perpetrators accountable, emphasizing the potential destabilizing impact on regional security.
The discussions during the meeting also touched on broader regional tensions, including developments in Yemen and threats to maritime security in the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Strait of Hormuz. Albudaiwi specifically condemned Iranian attacks against GCC countries, urging respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The meeting concluded with the ninth joint ministerial meeting of the Gulf-Russia Strategic Dialogue, which focused on enhancing cooperation and sharing perspectives on various regional and international issues.