عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Gulf Summit to Kick off in Kuwait amid Internal Challenges

A general view of the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of foreign ministers at the Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 4, 2017. (SPA)
A general view of the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of foreign ministers at the Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 4, 2017. (SPA)
TT
20
TT

Gulf Summit to Kick off in Kuwait amid Internal Challenges

A general view of the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of foreign ministers at the Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 4, 2017. (SPA)
A general view of the meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) of foreign ministers at the Bayan palace in Kuwait City on December 4, 2017. (SPA)

Leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council are expected to meet on Tuesday at the 38th GCC Summit in Kuwait, in the most critical stages the council has ever experienced.

One of the major challenges facing the GCC countries is the current dispute with Qatar, which threatens to impact the unity of the Council. They are also confronted with the challenge of formulating a common vision to deal with regional conflicts, in particular the confrontation with Iran and the fragile situation in Yemen.

On the eve of the summit, news broke out about the death of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who had abandoned his alliance with Houthi militias and led an uprising against their dominance of the capital Sana’a. The new development would add a new burden that would require a unified Gulf strategy.

The leaders of the six Gulf countries are expected to arrive in Kuwait on Tuesday, while the foreign ministers met on Monday for the first time following the eruption of the Qatari crisis in June.

The ministers did not issue any statements at the end of the meeting because it was limited to preparing for the two-day summit that kicks off on Tuesday.

According to an informal schedule of meetings, GCC leaders are due to arrive at noon on Tuesday, with the summit opening at 5:30 pm Kuwait time.

Participants in Monday’s session included - in addition to the foreign ministers of Kuwait and Qatar - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman Yousuf bin Alawi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash and Bahrain’s Assistant Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Faisal Al Dosari.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al-Hamad Al Sabah said during an opening speech on Monday that the GCC was a “constant project” that seeks to establish strong Gulf bonds in order to preserve independence and development.

He underlined the importance of GCC meetings in maintaining cooperation between the member states for the interest of the people and to confront the dangers threatening the security and stability of the region.

Most Viewed

 
Gulf

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
TT
20
TT

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.