عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Bahrain, US, and UK Hold Emergency Consultations on Regional Security

The consultations brought together Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad, Brad Cooper, and Richard Knighton (BNA). 
The consultations brought together Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad, Brad Cooper, and Richard Knighton (BNA). 
TT
TT

Bahrain, US, and UK Hold Emergency Consultations on Regional Security

The consultations brought together Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad, Brad Cooper, and Richard Knighton (BNA). 
The consultations brought together Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad, Brad Cooper, and Richard Knighton (BNA). 

Bahrain, the United States, and the United Kingdom held emergency consultations under Article Two of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) to review the region’s current security situation, with a focus on Iranian actions aimed at destabilizing regional security and stability.

According to a statement from Bahrain’s National Communication Center, Manama activated Article Two of the agreement, triggering exceptional consultations on Thursday within the framework of the pact’s Defense Working Group.

The move came in response to Iranian missile and drone attacks that Bahraini authorities said deliberately targeted civilian and residential areas in the kingdom.

The Bahrain News Agency reported late Friday that Lt. Gen. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s national security adviser and secretary-general of the Supreme Defense Council, held the consultations with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander, Admiral Brad Cooper and the United Kingdom’s Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, chief of the defense staff.

Participants discussed the urgent need for a coordinated allied response to what they described as a direct threat to Bahrain’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They emphasized the strength of the partnership among the member states and reaffirmed their commitment to collectively addressing threats to regional security and stability.

The meeting also underscored the strategic partnership established under the agreement, which includes commitments to strengthen security cooperation and collective deterrence against external threats. Officials reaffirmed their determination to work jointly to counter any external aggression targeting the sovereignty or territorial integrity of member states.

Separately, Cooper condemned the Iranian attacks in a post on the official CENTCOM account on the social media platform X, describing them as unacceptable.

He added that the United States would continue working with regional partners to counter threats endangering civilians in the region.

In a phone call Thursday with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom would deploy four additional Typhoon fighter jets to the region, to be stationed in Qatar, to provide defensive air cover for Bahrain and help strengthen the protection of its airspace.

Bahrain reiterated its commitment to regional stability, the protection of its citizens, and the defense of its sovereignty. It also urged the international community to recognize the seriousness of what it described as Iran’s deliberate targeting of civilian areas and the importance of a unified allied response, which it said reflects the strength of its security partnerships.

 

 

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Egypt Extends to Next Week Discussions on Military Support for Saudi Arabia

The Egyptian parliament in session. (MENA file)
The Egyptian parliament in session. (MENA file)
TT
TT

Egypt Extends to Next Week Discussions on Military Support for Saudi Arabia

The Egyptian parliament in session. (MENA file)
The Egyptian parliament in session. (MENA file)

The Egyptian parliament extended to next week on Monday discussions on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's authorization to provide military support to Saudi Arabia, a move that observers have interpreted as a "desire for further clarification on the nature of the Egyptian action."

On Saturday, Sisi requested that parliament hold an emergency session to authorize the defense of Gulf states, stressing that his country is "ready to implement any measure requested by Saudi Arabia to protect its security." This was followed by two parliamentary sessions on Sunday and Monday to discuss the issue.

At the conclusion of Monday's meeting, Speaker Hisham Badawi decided to adjourn the sessions until October 26 to resume discussions.

Parliamentary sources said the decision stemmed from the high number of requests from MPs to speak. The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the discussions over the two days witnessed broad support for the Kingdom, as well as several requests to clarify the nature of the support, and how Egypt will defend its security and stability.

They added: "In light of hundreds of requests received from MPs to speak, and given the nature of the issue, discussions were extended to next week for further clarifications."

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi chairs a National Defense Council meeting at Ittihadiya Palace on Sunday. (Egyptian Presidency)

This was confirmed by Dr. Abdel Moneim Said, a former member of the Senate, who told Asharq Al-Awsat: "Given the importance of the subject, it was only natural that the discussions would be extended."

He added: "All aspects of the issue must be addressed, starting with the nature of the Egyptian action to defensively support the Kingdom, through to its implications and cost," noting that "the issue enjoys broad support; given its impact on Egyptian national security, which cannot be separated from Gulf security."

Article 152 of the Egyptian Constitution stipulates that "the President of the Republic is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and shall not declare war, nor send the Armed Forces on a combat mission outside the borders of the State, except after taking the opinion of the National Defense Council, and obtaining the approval of the parliament by a two-thirds majority of its members."

It adds that "if the parliament is dissolved, the opinion of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces must be taken, alongside the approval of both the Cabinet and the National Defense Council."

Following a meeting chaired by Sisi on Sunday, the National Defense Council decided on "absolute alignment and complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and to provide all necessary and possible forms of support to the Kingdom to defend its security and stability, and to safeguard its capabilities, territorial integrity, and Islamic holy sites."

Political parties and MPs stressed their support for the Kingdom.

In a statement on Sunday, the Wafd Party announced its backing, stating that "the security of the Kingdom and Red Sea, and Arab countries bordering it, are closely linked to Egyptian and Arab national security."

Gulf

UAE, Turkish FMs Condemn Continued Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)
TT
TT

UAE, Turkish FMs Condemn Continued Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Monday separate telephone calls from Deputy Prime Minister and FM of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Turkish FM Hakan Fidan.

The FMs discussed regional developments, including the continued attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia on civilian areas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and expressed their condemnation of these attacks.

Prince Faisal and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed the importance of continued coordination and consultations to strengthen joint Gulf cooperation, reduce escalation, prevent tensions from spreading, and maintain regional security and stability.

Prince Faisal and Fidan reviewed the latest developments, Saudi and Turkish efforts to address current challenges, and their joint endeavors to boost regional security and stability.

Gulf

Coalition Targets Houthi Weapons Smuggling Operation off Yemen's Coast

The Coalition Joint Forces Command had warned the militia against using traditional vessels (Za'ima, Huri, Jalbah, and Sanbuq) to smuggle weapons, missiles, and military equipment by sea. (Coalition)
The Coalition Joint Forces Command had warned the militia against using traditional vessels (Za'ima, Huri, Jalbah, and Sanbuq) to smuggle weapons, missiles, and military equipment by sea. (Coalition)
TT
TT

Coalition Targets Houthi Weapons Smuggling Operation off Yemen's Coast

The Coalition Joint Forces Command had warned the militia against using traditional vessels (Za'ima, Huri, Jalbah, and Sanbuq) to smuggle weapons, missiles, and military equipment by sea. (Coalition)
The Coalition Joint Forces Command had warned the militia against using traditional vessels (Za'ima, Huri, Jalbah, and Sanbuq) to smuggle weapons, missiles, and military equipment by sea. (Coalition)

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen targeted weapons smuggled to the terrorist Houthi militia and vessels used for the illicit operations off Yemen’s coast.

The Coalition Joint Forces Command had warned the militia against using traditional vessels (Za'ima, Huri, Jalbah, and Sanbuq) to smuggle weapons, missiles, and military equipment by sea.

It stressed that such activities pose a threat to Yemen's security, as well as regional and international security, endangering civilian lives and safety. The smuggling is carried out through organized crime gangs working with the Houthis.

The Joint Forces Command urged all owners of maritime vessels to refrain from cooperating with the militia in smuggling weapons, missiles, and military equipment by sea to Yemen's shores, in order to protect their lives and property.