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Riyadh Hosts Meeting of Global Coalition against ISIS

The number of members of the international coalition against ISIS has reached 85 countries and international organizations. (SPA)
The number of members of the international coalition against ISIS has reached 85 countries and international organizations. (SPA)
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Riyadh Hosts Meeting of Global Coalition against ISIS

The number of members of the international coalition against ISIS has reached 85 countries and international organizations. (SPA)
The number of members of the international coalition against ISIS has reached 85 countries and international organizations. (SPA)

Riyadh is hosting on Thursday the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against ISIS, in the presence of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his US counterpart, Antony Blinken, with the participation of 85 countries and partner organizations.

Blinken arrived in Riyadh from Jeddah, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two sides discussed economic and security cooperation, as well as issues of common interest.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most important founding members of the Global Coalition. It ranks second in terms of the number of Coalition airstrikes. The Royal Saudi Air Force carried out a total of 341 missions to support Coalition strikes in Syria.

In August 2018, Saudi Arabia announced a contribution of $100 million to the Global Coalition against ISIS, in support of projects in areas liberated from the terrorist organization in northeastern Syria.

In December 2022, during a meeting of the political directors of the Global Coalition against ISIS, which was held in The Hague, the Kingdom announced that it would host the next ministerial meeting for 2023, to emphasize “its active role as a strategic partner” in the coalition.

The League of Arab States will participate in the meeting through a delegation headed by the Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Arab Affairs and National Security of the Arab League, Ambassador Khalil Ibrahim Al-Thawadi.

Al-Thawadi underlined the importance of the gathering to consult and exchange visions on ways to confront the serious challenges posed by the terrorist organization.

The first defeats of ISIS, which had declared its control in 2014 over large areas in Syria and Iraq, were achieved in Iraq in 2017, then in Syria in 2019. However, the international coalition said in May 2022 that the organization continues to represent a threat, confirming the continuation of the war against it in the two countries.

Members of ISIS cells continue to launch attacks against the security forces from their hideouts in Syria and Iraq though on a limited scale. The organization also claims attacks in other countries and poses a constant threat.

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Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

In a unified show of Arab solidarity, several Gulf and regional nations strongly condemned Iran’s missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, denouncing it as a flagrant violation of international law, regional sovereignty, and the principles of good neighborliness.

Saudi Arabia led the regional response, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a sharply worded statement condemning the strike as an “unjustifiable and unacceptable act” that violated international norms. Riyadh reaffirmed its full support for Qatar, pledging to mobilize all available resources to assist its Gulf neighbor in any measures it deems necessary.

Bahrain echoed the Kingdom’s stance, condemning the IRGC’s aggression as a clear breach of Qatari sovereignty and airspace. Manama’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the “bond of brotherhood and blood” that ties Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, urging restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes while affirming its unwavering support for Doha.

The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a blatant violation of Qatari sovereignty and a dangerous escalation. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry expressed full solidarity with Qatar and underscored the importance of protecting civilians and maintaining regional stability. It warned that continued military provocations could lead the region into dangerous and irreversible consequences.

For its part, Kuwait described the strike as a “grave breach” of Qatari airspace and sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry declared its total support for Qatar’s leadership and people, backing their right to respond appropriately to such an attack. Kuwait also offered to mobilize its full capabilities to support its Gulf partner.

Oman, while emphasizing its commitment to de-escalation, also denounced Iran’s strike as a violation of the sovereignty of a fellow GCC member. Muscat pointed to Israel’s earlier unlawful strike on Iranian territory as a trigger for the current escalation and warned that expanding the conflict would only lead to greater instability and humanitarian suffering.

Iraq expressed deep concern about the intensifying regional conflict. Its Foreign Ministry called for immediate restraint, warning that the Iranian strike marked a dangerous turning point that could draw more actors into an already volatile confrontation.

The Secretary-General of the GCC, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, issued a strong statement condemning the Iranian missile attack as a violation of Qatari sovereignty and a threat to the collective security of the Gulf states. He stressed that Qatar’s security is inseparable from that of the entire GCC and called on the international community and the UN Security Council to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions.