Albudaiwi: 'Arabian Gulf Security 4' Exercise Enhances GCC Security 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: 'Arabian Gulf Security 4' Exercise Enhances GCC Security Integration

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

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that the "Arabian Gulf Security 4" tactical exercise serves to bolster Gulf security integration and embodies the unity and shared destiny of member states.

The statement was made Wednesday during Albudaiwi’s participation in the closing day of the exercise, held in Qatar. The event was attended by Qatari Interior Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani along with the GCC Ministers of Interior.

"This fourth edition of the drill, conducted by the GCC Ministries of Interior with the participation of specialized units from the friendly United States of America, is of paramount importance in supporting the collective Gulf security framework," the secretary-general said.

He stressed its role in enhancing coordination and integration among the respective ministries and elevating joint readiness and response to security challenges, thereby contributing to the consolidation of security and stability across the GCC.

He further highlighted that the "Arabian Gulf Security 4" exercise reflects a mutual commitment to advancing security operational mechanisms, exchanging expertise and best practices, as well as unifying efforts to counter transnational risks and threats. He pointed out that such maneuvers constitute a fundamental pillar for strengthening institutional integration and security cooperation pathways among member states.

The secretary-general expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Ministry of Interior of Qatar in hosting and organizing the exercise, noting that the extensive resources and capabilities provided were instrumental to its success.

Closing his remarks, he voiced his aspiration that the exercise achieves its strategic objectives, fulfilling the visions of leaders of the GCC states, and ensuring sustained security and stability for the peoples of the GCC.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Rubio Discuss Iranian Attacks

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Rubio Discuss Iranian Attacks

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which they discussed Iran’s ongoing attacks against Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.

The United States expressed its appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect diplomatic missions and assist in the evacuation of foreign nationals.


Saudi Arabia Intercepts and Destroys More Drones

The Saudi Defense Ministry logo
The Saudi Defense Ministry logo
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Saudi Arabia Intercepts and Destroys More Drones

The Saudi Defense Ministry logo
The Saudi Defense Ministry logo

The Saudi Defense Ministry said Thursday it has destroyed a drone in the Kingdom’s al-Jouf Province.

A drone was intercepted and destroyed east of al-Jouf region, Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Maliki stated.

Al-Maliki also said that three drones were intercepted and destroyed east of al-Kharj Province.


Qatar PM Condemns Iran Attacks in Call with Foreign Minister

The skyline of Doha, Qatar, 04 March 2026. (EPA)
The skyline of Doha, Qatar, 04 March 2026. (EPA)
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Qatar PM Condemns Iran Attacks in Call with Foreign Minister

The skyline of Doha, Qatar, 04 March 2026. (EPA)
The skyline of Doha, Qatar, 04 March 2026. (EPA)

Qatar's prime minister condemned Iran's attacks on Gulf states in a call with Tehran's foreign minister Wednesday, the first high-level contact since the Islamic republic launched its missile and drone campaign. 

Qatari premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani accused Iran of seeking to "harm its neighbors and drag them into a war that is not theirs", on the call with Iran's Abbas Araghchi, according to a statement by Qatar's foreign ministry. 

Gulf countries have borne much of Tehran's response since the US and Israel launched a massive air campaign against Iran over the weekend with an 11-year-old girl killed in Kuwait on Wednesday by falling shrapnel. 

Thirteen people, seven of them civilians, have been killed in countries around the Gulf since the war began. 

The Pentagon has announced the deaths of six US servicemen since Saturday, four of them in Kuwait. 

The Qatari prime minister urged "an immediate halt to these attacks" on the call and said Iran had "struck civilian and residential areas" despite Araghchi's assertion "the Iranian missile attacks were directed at US interests and did not target the State of Qatar". 

"These attacks cannot pass without a response," Sheikh Mohammed added. 

Kuwait's health ministry said "resuscitation was performed in the ambulance while the girl was being transported to the hospital," adding attempts continued for nearly half an hour at Al-Amiri Hospital but she "passed away due to her injuries". 

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar said they had intercepted Iranian drone and missile barrages, with the UAE reporting it engaged three ballistic missiles and intercepted 121 of 129 drones, while Qatar said it shot down 10 drones and two cruise missiles. 

- Stocks drop - 

Earlier, Kuwait's military said it detected incoming projectiles and was working to intercept the missiles and drones in its airspace. 

Bahrain said residents could register as volunteers to aid war efforts in sectors including health. 

In Saudi Arabia, the defense ministry said two cruise missiles were intercepted over an area south of the capital Riyadh, which is also home to the sprawling Prince Sultan air base, and several drones were destroyed after entering its airspace. 

Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it intercepted a drone targeting its massive Ras Tanura refinery on the Gulf coast, days after a Monday strike on the complex forced some operations to halt following a fire. 

"Initial estimates indicate that the attack was carried out by a drone and did not result in any damage," the ministry said in a statement. 

The war continued to rattle the Gulf elsewhere with stocks dropping sharply in the United Arab Emirates on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi exchanges after a two-day trading suspension. 

The main Dubai index fell 4.7 percent, while Abu Dhabi's dropped nearly two percent. 

Qatar authorities also announced they had dismantled two spy cells linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, its official press agency reported. 

"Close surveillance made it possible to arrest 10 suspects: seven were tasked with spying and gathering information about vital and military infrastructure in the country, and three were meant to carry out sabotage operations," the agency said. 

Iranian missiles and drones have slammed Gulf states' cities and infrastructure, upending relations with Tehran and placing the neighbors on a potential course for greater military confrontation.