The U.K. convened defense chiefs and regional partners in London this week for its 10th Dragon Group meeting, where officials addressed Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia and the conflict between the United States and Iran.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, the U.K.'s Chief of Defence Staff, hosted the session at Trinity House. The Ministry of Defence published its announcement Oct. 23.
The group’s name points to HMS Dragon, the ship where its first gathering took place in 2018. Since then, the forum has regularly brought defense chiefs together to exchange views on security matters affecting the region and the wider world.
The ministry listed Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and the UAE as members, alongside a representative from the GCC.
The agenda also covered shared challenges and lessons drawn from recent experience. Participants considered closer cooperation in support of regional security and stability, while the meeting reaffirmed the importance of longstanding U.K. defense relationships with partners across the region.
The ministry said dialogue among partners is a priority during a period of heightened regional instability.
