Gulf states cooperate on defense, Iran and economic integration at summit
The Gulf Cooperation Council held their annual summit in Riyadh this week, indicating a degree of unity among Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other states on regional issues.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held its annual summit in Riyadh yesterday.
The GCC expressed unity on several regional issues at the event, especially on Iran. The GCC accused Iran of “fomenting sectarian strife” in GCC member states and supporting “terrorism” in Bahrain. They further condemned Iran’s alleged “support for sectarian terrorist groups and militias” in Syria, Iraq and Yemen. They specifically mentioned the Houthi forces in Yemen, according to an official summary.
Iran supports the Houthi rebels against the internationally recognized government in the Yemeni civil war. A Saudi-led military coalition directly fights on behalf of the government. In Bahrain, the government regularly accuses Iran of supporting alleged terrorist groups in the country.
The GCC also backed the United Arab Emirates in its territorial dispute with Iran over the Abu Musa and Tunb islands.
