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Saudi-Omani Security Committee Inspects Empty Quarter Border Checkpoint

The flags of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman side by side
The flags of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman side by side
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Saudi-Omani Security Committee Inspects Empty Quarter Border Checkpoint

The flags of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman side by side
The flags of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman side by side

The Saudi-Omani Higher Security Committee’s joint working team on Tuesday went on an inspection tour of the Empty Quarter border checkpoint, which connects the Kingdom to the Sultanate.

During the inspection, security officials heard a briefing about the missions and tasks of the checkpoint and discussed bilateral relations and various aspects of cooperation in security fields.

The inspection comes as part of the activities of the fourth meeting of the joint working group emanating from the joint Supreme Security Committee between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

According to the state-owned Oman News Agency, the team of security officials examined the facility at the border checkpoint.

The Kingdom and the Sultanate had come a long way in terms of reinforcing economic cooperation upon the Omani ruler’s visit to Saudi Arabia last June. Sultan Haitham bin Tarik had met with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

During the past month, the activities of the Omani-Saudi Investment Forum and the meetings of the Saudi-Omani Joint Business Council were held in Muscat to introduce and promote investment opportunities between the two countries in various fields.

Several MoUs for promoting and encouraging joint investment between Saudi Arabia and Oman were inked.

Opening the Empty Quarter land border enhances the prospects for cooperation between the two countries, as the volume of trade exchange between them stands at around $10 billion.

In 2019, Omani exports to the Kingdom totaled around SAR 5.9 billion, while Saudi non-oil exports to Oman amounted to about SAR 3.4 billion.

Trade exchange between the two countries represents 10.4% of the Kingdom’s total exports to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

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Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 
Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 
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Gulf Cooperation Council Condemns Israeli Strike on Iran, Calls for Diplomacy

Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 
Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 

In an extraordinary virtual session held Sunday, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strongly condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran, denouncing them as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter. The council urged an immediate return to diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the growing regional tensions.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi described the current escalation as “unprecedented,” pointing to the Israeli military strikes on Iranian territory and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory actions.

“These developments have sharply heightened tensions in the region,” he said, warning that they “open the door to uncertain and troubling scenarios.”

Albudaiwi revealed that in light of the unfolding crisis, the GCC Emergency Management Center had been activated to monitor and respond to potential consequences, particularly those involving Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“We acted swiftly and responsibly in recognition of the gravity of the situation,” he said, citing the danger of strikes on nuclear infrastructure and the potential for serious environmental and technical fallout.

Among the chief concerns raised during the meeting were the regional consequences of a broader escalation - especially any damage to nuclear sites - and the far-reaching impacts this could have on the environment, regional infrastructure, and the economic stability of Gulf states. The GCC also highlighted the risks to global supply chains, energy markets, and the security of key maritime corridors.

In a statement, the council emphasized that “until now, all technical indicators remain within safe limits,” adding that there is no immediate cause for alarm. Nonetheless, member states remain on high alert. “Full readiness and constant vigilance are essential in facing this volatile situation,” said Albudaiwi.

He also reaffirmed the council’s foundational values of unity, collective security, and regional stability. “The GCC was established on the principles of solidarity and joint action,” he said. “We continue to believe that stability is essential for the prosperity and well-being of our peoples.”

Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s longstanding commitment to conflict prevention, dialogue facilitation, and the avoidance of military escalation.

“We renew our call to all nations and actors to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from further military action,” he said. “The region stands at the edge of a wider conflict that could spiral out of control, with consequences no one can predict or manage.”