The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) approved a forward headquarters in Kuwait for its Unified Military Command, a step the bloc said would advance joint military cooperation and defense integration.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said the plan includes assigning forces to the Kuwait post. The decision was approved Nov. 10 at the bloc’s 23rd Joint Defense Council session in Manama, the GCC said.
The command already has its headquarters in Riyadh, Anadolu Agency reported. The agency also reported that GCC armed forces chiefs of staff met in Manama on Oct. 29 before the ministers’ decision.
The GCC cited Iranian attacks on member states and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia in describing the security context for the decision. The plan creates a forward presence for the existing command, rather than moving its headquarters from Riyadh.
The GCC held separate military coordination talks in Riyadh on Oct. 19, with an agenda centered on operations and training, according to the council.
