Albudaiwi: 166th Ministerial Meeting Reflects GCC Integration

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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Albudaiwi: 166th Ministerial Meeting Reflects GCC Integration

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stated that the agenda of the 166th Ministerial Meeting included several topics that embody the dimensions of Gulf integration and reinforce the axes of Gulf-regional and international cooperatio.

These remarks were made during Albudaiwi’s speech at the 166th Ministerial Meeting preparatory to the 46th session of the Supreme Council of the GCC, held today in Manama, SPA reported.

The meeting was chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who is also Chairman of the current session of the Ministerial Council, with the attendance of the GCC foreign ministers.

According to a press release issued by the GCC General Secretariat, Albudaiwi affirmed that today’s decisions and recommendations will add a new building block to the edifice of the blessed GCC journey.

He underlined that the depth and breadth of the agenda clearly reflect the regional and international weight of the GCC and establish the fact that the achievements accomplished by the GCC states on the path of Gulf integration — which is the aspiration of the GCC leaders — are moving steadily in the right direction, consistent with the aspirations and ambitions of the Gulf peoples towards further interconnection and prosperity.



Bahrain Redirects Aircraft to Alternative Airports

This image released by Bahrain's Interior Ministry shows firefighters extinguishing flames after an Iranian projectile struck an industrial area in Ma'ameer, Bahrain, Monday, March 9, 2026. (Bahrain Interior Ministry via AP)
This image released by Bahrain's Interior Ministry shows firefighters extinguishing flames after an Iranian projectile struck an industrial area in Ma'ameer, Bahrain, Monday, March 9, 2026. (Bahrain Interior Ministry via AP)
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Bahrain Redirects Aircraft to Alternative Airports

This image released by Bahrain's Interior Ministry shows firefighters extinguishing flames after an Iranian projectile struck an industrial area in Ma'ameer, Bahrain, Monday, March 9, 2026. (Bahrain Interior Ministry via AP)
This image released by Bahrain's Interior Ministry shows firefighters extinguishing flames after an Iranian projectile struck an industrial area in Ma'ameer, Bahrain, Monday, March 9, 2026. (Bahrain Interior Ministry via AP)

Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs said on Wednesday it had coordinated the successful transfer ⁠of aircraft from Bahrain ⁠International Airport to ⁠alternative airports.

The authority said the repositioning was carried out to enhance operational readiness.

Bahrain has been targeted by Iranian drones and missiles, which have killed two people in the country, according to authorities.

In one recent incident, an Iranian drone attack on Bahrain damaged a water desalination plant.


Drones Hit Near Dubai Airport, Wounding 4 People

An alert issued by the United Arab Emirates' Interior Ministry, warning of potential missile threats and instructing to seek shelter, is displayed on a mobile phone, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
An alert issued by the United Arab Emirates' Interior Ministry, warning of potential missile threats and instructing to seek shelter, is displayed on a mobile phone, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
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Drones Hit Near Dubai Airport, Wounding 4 People

An alert issued by the United Arab Emirates' Interior Ministry, warning of potential missile threats and instructing to seek shelter, is displayed on a mobile phone, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky
An alert issued by the United Arab Emirates' Interior Ministry, warning of potential missile threats and instructing to seek shelter, is displayed on a mobile phone, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky

Two Iranian drones hit near Dubai International Airport on Wednesday, wounding four people though flights continue, authorities said.

The Dubai Media Office said the attack caused “minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national.”

It said flights continued.


Saudi Defenses Destroy 7 Ballistic Missiles, 22 Drones

Official spokesman of the Saudi Defense Ministry Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Official spokesman of the Saudi Defense Ministry Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
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Saudi Defenses Destroy 7 Ballistic Missiles, 22 Drones

Official spokesman of the Saudi Defense Ministry Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Official spokesman of the Saudi Defense Ministry Turki al-Malki. (SPA)

Official spokesman of the Saudi Defense Ministry Turki al-Malki announced on Wednesday that the Kingdom intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles that were fired at the Prince Sultan Air Base in the al-Kharj region, 80 kms southeast of Riyadh.

They downed another missile that was fired at the Eastern Region.

Al-Malki added that eight drones were destroyed in the Eastern Region, seven in the Empty Quarter that were fired at the Shaybah oil field, five east of al-Kharj and two in the Hafar al-Batin region in the Kingdom’s northeast.

The Saudi government had on Tuesday underscored the Kingdom’s full right to take measures that ensure its security, sovereignty and safety of its territories, as well as its right to repel attacks.

It hailed the air defense for intercepting and destroying hostile rockets and drones that were fired at the Kingdom.