The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has firmly expressed its solidarity with Qatar following a recent military attack attributed to Israeli forces. In a significant meeting held in Doha, the GCC’s Joint Defense Council condemned the aggression, emphasizing that it constitutes a serious violation of international law and threatens regional security. This resolution highlights the unity among member states in the face of external threats, reflecting a collective commitment to protect sovereignty and maintain peace.
Emergency Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council
Today, the extraordinary session of the Joint Defense Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council commenced in Doha, where the Council condemned “in the strongest terms” the serious military aggression against Qatar. They underlined that “this act of aggression represents a grave escalation of the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.” The discussions were spurred by the urgent need to reaffirm a unified stance against threats posed to member states within the GCC.
Collective Defense Measures
During this emergency meeting, the council declared that “an attack on Qatar is an attack on all member states.” To ensure collective security, a series of military measures were proposed to bolster defenses. The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, expressed that “the member states aim to issue recommendations that enhance our collective defense integration.” He reiterated that “the Israeli aggression against Qatar is a clear violation of its sovereignty and a blatant breach of international law.”
Strengthening Intelligence Cooperation
The Joint Defense Council also announced updates to joint defense plans through unified command structures and enhanced intelligence exchanges. This approach is part of a broader strategy to reinforce the security framework of the GCC. Al-Budaiwi elaborated on the importance of cooperation, stating, “Qatar is an integral part of our collective Gulf security, and any aggression against any of the member states is aggression against us all.”
Commitment to Qatar
The highest council of the Gulf Cooperation Council convened in an extraordinary session in Doha, chaired by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, along with Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, to discuss the ramifications of the Israeli attack on Qatar, which posed a direct threat to residential facilities housing members of the negotiating team from Hamas. The council reiterated its complete solidarity with Qatar in all measures undertaken to confront this aggression, stressing that “the security of the member states is an indivisible whole.” This declaration solidifies a strong message against external aggression, reinforcing the notion that the GCC stands unified in times of crisis.
The GCC’s response to the Israeli aggression represents a significant moment in regional politics, underscoring the importance of solidarity in addressing threats to member states’ sovereignty. The commitment to collective security is not just a statement but a call to action for all member countries.