Khalid bin Salman: We Will Raise Level of GCC Armed Forces Against Threats

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman during the GCC meeting (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman during the GCC meeting (SPA)
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Khalid bin Salman: We Will Raise Level of GCC Armed Forces Against Threats

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman during the GCC meeting (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman during the GCC meeting (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman emphasized the significance of strengthening many facets among the Gulf states to protect these nations' resources and the benefits of their peoples, advance their accomplishments, and realize the leaders' ambitions and objectives.

Prince Khalid highlighted the efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to raise the level of its armed forces to act as a shield against risks and threats, establish regional security and stability, and defend national interests and economic resources.

Prince Khalid chaired the 19th meeting of the GCC Joint Defense Council for the Ministers of Defense, with the participation of GCC Defense Ministers, Secretary General Nayef al-Hajraf, and the Commander of the GCC Unified Military Command, Lt-Gen Eid al-Shalawi.

The meeting addressed the joint military action stated on the agenda while the participants made essential decisions and recommendations.

The Saudi minister conveyed the greetings and appreciation of the Saudi leadership, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"Pleased to chair the 19th GCC Joint Defense Council today. We reviewed various aspects of our cooperation, reaffirmed our joint efforts to bolster defense coordination between us against common threats, and explored ways to preserve peace, security, and stability in the region," tweeted Prince Khalid.

The Saudi Defense Minister thanked his GCC counterparts and the Secretary-General for their sincere efforts to create and improve the GCC defense action.

He further expressed the hope that these initiatives would successfully achieve the welfare of the GCC's citizens and nations and maintain the GCC security and safety under the guidance of the GCC leaders.



Saudi-Iraqi Cooperation Thwarts Drug Smuggling Operation

 The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA
The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA
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Saudi-Iraqi Cooperation Thwarts Drug Smuggling Operation

 The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA
The drug shipment was intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency. SPA

Iraq's security forces have seized an estimated 1.1 ton of captagon pills hidden inside a truck that entered Iraq from Syria via Türkiye, the Interior Ministry said on Sunday.

The drug shipment, the largest ever seized in Iraq, was tracked and intercepted with the assistance of "important information" provided by Saudi's drug enforcement agency, the Interior Ministry spokesperson Brigadier Muqdad Meri said in a televised statement.

Saudi Arabia said it contributed to thwarting an attempt to smuggle seven million amphetamine pills into Iraq, according to a statement by ministry security spokesman Colonel Talal bin Abdul Mohsen bin Shalhoub.
Through proactive security monitoring of criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control provided intelligence to its Iraqi counterpart, leading to the interception of the illicit shipment. The drugs were concealed within a consignment of children's toys and ironing boards.
Shalhoub praised the close cooperation between Saudi and Iraqi authorities in combating drug smuggling.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to tracking and dismantling criminal operations involved in narcotics production and trafficking, in collaboration with counterpart agencies in brotherly and friendly countries.