Will the GCC’s new military command in Kuwait strengthen Gulf defenses against Iran?

LONDON: The Gulf Cooperation Council has approved the establishment of a joint forward military command in Kuwait — the member state hardest hit by Iranian attacks — marking its most concrete step yet toward turning collective defense commitments into operational capabilities.

Forces will be assigned to the new command, the GCC’s Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi said in a statement on Tuesday.

The announcement followed the 23rd session of the GCC’s Joint Defense Council in Manama, attended by defense ministers from all six member states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

“The GCC’s joint military action receives the utmost attention, care, and support from their majesties and highnesses, the leaders of the GCC states,” AlBudaiwi said.