GCC Military Chiefs Seek to Activate Unified Military Command

GCC Armies Chiefs of Staff during their meeting in Kuwait on Monday (KUNA)
GCC Armies Chiefs of Staff during their meeting in Kuwait on Monday (KUNA)
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GCC Military Chiefs Seek to Activate Unified Military Command

GCC Armies Chiefs of Staff during their meeting in Kuwait on Monday (KUNA)
GCC Armies Chiefs of Staff during their meeting in Kuwait on Monday (KUNA)

The heads of the armed forces of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries discussed activating the unified military leadership and studying the establishment of a Gulf academy for strategic and security studies during a meeting in Kuwait on Monday.
 
The GCC army chiefs are expected to meet on Wednesday with military officials from the United States, Egypt and Jordan, a Kuwaiti defense ministry official said on Sunday.
 
Chief of Staff of the Kuwaiti Army Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Khudher said that the Council’s joint defense agreement reflected strong ties between the Gulf countries.
 
“Our region is currently facing many regional and international challenges, which compel us to preserve our strong ties through joint efforts to protect our unity and improve it,” he said during the 15th meeting of the Supreme Military Committee of GCC chiefs of staff.
 
The meeting gathers the chiefs of staff of the GCC countries, including Qatar, which has been witnessing tense relations with three Gulf States since June 5, 2017.
 
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, in addition to Egypt, have severed diplomatic ties and suspended cooperation with Doha after accusing it of destabilizing the region and supporting extremist groups.
 
Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah said in remarks at the end of July that his country was considering US proposals to establish a strategic alliance in the Middle East in order to counter Iranian influence in the region.



Saudi Joint Chiefs of Staff Director Inspects Armed Forces Preparations for Hajj

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
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Saudi Joint Chiefs of Staff Director Inspects Armed Forces Preparations for Hajj

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari, on behalf of Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, inspected on Monday the readiness of Armed Forces units involved in this year’s Hajj across the holy sites to ensure support for security and government agencies serving pilgrims.

The tour included the air force detachment at Arafat Airport, Ministry of Defense camps, religious affairs facilities, military police operations at the Grand Mosque, Armed Forces headquarters in Al-Awali, and the Defense Ministry’s field hospital in Mina.

Al-Omari reviewed operational plans, awareness programs, crowd management efforts, and medical preparedness to support pilgrims throughout the Hajj season.

The Military Police of the Royal Saudi Land Forces is participating in the Ministry of Defense's comprehensive Hajj plan, coordinating with internal security forces to manage crowd movement in the Grand Mosque's courtyards, oversee the Grand Mosque's gates, and organize the flow of pilgrims arriving from Mina, ensuring smooth movement during peak times.

The participating force underwent intensive training and exercises simulating various scenarios to boost its capacity for effective response and crowd management in coordination with relevant security entities.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Train in Pakistan’s Balochistan

People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Train in Pakistan’s Balochistan

People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Monday the “heinous terrorist” attack targeting a train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom reiterates its “complete rejection of all forms of terrorism and extremism and strongly condemns attempts to undermine the security and stability of Pakistan and its people.”

It expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan.

An explosion targeted a train in Balochistan's provincial capital, Quetta, on Sunday, killing at least 24 people and wounding more than 50 others, according to officials.


Saudi Health Minister Visits Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat

Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visits the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visits the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Health Minister Visits Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat

Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visits the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visits the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visited on Monday the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat, where he reviewed the hospital’s readiness and the healthcare services provided during the Hajj.

He was briefed on the hospital’s operational capacity, service delivery pathways, and procedures for handling urgent and emergency cases, including heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

The briefing also covered resuscitation services, short-term intensive care, medical observation, infection control measures, and preventive medicine services.

The minister reviewed the latest operational developments at the field hospital and its role in supporting the healthcare provider network in Arafat, as well as improving the efficiency of healthcare services provided to pilgrims and security personnel during the Hajj season.

The visit comes within the framework of coordination and integration among health authorities involved in the Hajj and reflects a commitment to boosting field readiness to serve pilgrims and enable them to perform their rituals safely.