GCC Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Invokes Joint Defense Agreement at Manama Ministerial Council
MANAMA — The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held its 168th session in Manama, Bahrain, on October 18, chaired by Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. In its final communique, the council condemned in the strongest terms the Houthi militia's continued attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on the Two Holy Mosques and surrounding areas, civilian airports and critical facilities, saying the attacks had caused civilian casualties in flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
The communique reaffirmed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty, security and interests. It stressed that the security of GCC member states is indivisible and that aggression against any one member is direct aggression against all, pursuant to the GCC Joint Defense Agreement, and reaffirmed the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The ministers called for designating the Houthi militia as a terrorist group and cutting off all support enabling it to obtain missiles and drones, and demanded strict enforcement of the arms embargo on the Houthis under Security Council resolutions 2216 and 2722. The communique welcomed the Security Council's October 15 presidential statement, adopted by consensus, which condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including those on Saudi Aramco facilities, and affirmed Saudi Arabia's right of self-defense.
On Iran, the communique condemned Iranian missile and drone attacks, launched directly or through proxies, against GCC states and Jordan, demanded that Iran halt all attacks immediately and unconditionally, fully comply with Security Council resolution 2817, and provide full compensation for all losses. It also demanded that the Strait of Hormuz be restored to its status before February 28, 2026, and insisted that GCC states must take part in any negotiations or arrangements affecting their security and interests.
The meeting came the same day Egypt's presidency, after a National Defense Council meeting chaired by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, said Egypt stood ready to provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary support to defend its security and stability; the Egyptian parliament's debate on authorizing a military defense role was continued to October 19. Also in Manama on Sunday, the GCC and Russia held their ninth joint ministerial meeting for strategic dialogue, discussing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al-Mandab. (Source: Qatar News Agency communique; Egypt developments as reported by Reuters)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 10月18日，海合会部长理事会第168届会议在 Manama 举行，会场与秘书长席位。照片：卡塔尔通讯社 QNA。The 168th GCC Ministerial Council meeting in Manama on October 18. Photo: Qatar News Agency (QNA).
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