The Gulf Cooperation Council called on the international community and the Security Council to take firm and immediate action to stop the ongoing violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and to provide urgent protection to civilians.
In a statement on Friday, Jassem Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Council, condemned the continued violations committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, including the bombing that targeted the Nasser Medical Complex in the city of Khan Yunis, south of Gaza, stressing that the attack on hospitals and health facilities represents a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
He stressed that exposing the sick, wounded, and medical teams to danger, and undermining the ability of health facilities to provide their services, doubles the suffering of the Palestinian people, indicating that the continued attacks on them require an international stance that puts an end to these violations and ensures that those responsible are held accountable.
Al-Budaiwi called on the international community, first and foremost the Security Council, to assume its responsibilities and take effective measures to stop Israeli attacks and provide protection for civilians, ensure that humanitarian aid and medical supplies reach all those in need in the Strip without obstacles, and enable relief agencies to perform their tasks safely.
Al-Budaiwi reiterated that the GCC countries stand by the Palestinian people and support their legitimate rights, foremost of which is the establishment of their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
On Thursday, the UN Security Council condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and their threats to commercial ships in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea, affirming the Kingdom’s right to defend itself.
The Council called on the Houthis to stop their military escalation and attacks immediately and without any conditions, including targeting the civilian population and civilian infrastructure, including commercial airports and international maritime transport.
The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that included a call to intensify the fight against arms smuggling to the Houthis by land and sea, and to tighten control over their provision of drone components and ballistic missiles.
The resolution assigned the team of experts to track the sources of funding and revenues for the Houthis, reiterating the arms embargo, and sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the Houthis.
For his part, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, welcomed the unanimous adoption of Security Council Resolution No. 2837, the draft of which was presented by Britain, appreciating its efforts in this regard, and stressing that it represents an important step to strengthen the international position rejecting the treacherous Houthi attacks.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council stressed the need to translate the resolution into an actual commitment to stop these attacks, protect civilian lives and facilities, and put an end to the threat to the security of the region and the safety of international navigation.
Al-Budaiwi renewed the Gulf Cooperation Council’s support for all efforts aimed at supporting and empowering the legitimate Yemeni government, to preserve Yemen’s sovereignty, unity, security and stability, and to meet the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people for peace and development.
The Saudi Military Industries Company (SAMI) discussed with more than 100 Turkish companies opportunities for cooperation in localizing 95 defense systems and components, strengthening supply chains, transferring technology, and developing Saudi industrial capabilities, during the first edition of the “Suppliers Corner Day,” which was hosted by the city of Istanbul over two days, as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to enhance local content in military industries.
The event, which was held on November 11 and 12, brought together Sami Group companies and a number of Saudi companies, with major Turkish industrial and defense companies, including Aselsan, Havelsan, Roketsan, and FNSS. To explore local manufacturing opportunities, develop suppliers, and transfer knowledge and advanced technologies.
The meeting was organized according to information issued within the “Rokn” program for local content of “Sami”, with the support of the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Council, the Saudi-Turkish Business Council, and the “Saha Istanbul” exhibition for defense, aviation and space industries.
The event witnessed the presence of the Saudi Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, the Acting Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAMI, Bandar Al-Khorayef, and the CEO of the Group, Engineer Thamer Al-Muhaid, along with the Governor of Istanbul, Davut Gul, the Chairman of the Turkish Defense Industries Authority, Professor Khaluk Gurgun, and a number of officials and representatives of the defense industries sector in the two countries.
Over two days, representatives of the companies “Sami Advanced Electronics”, “Sami Munitions”, “Sami Al Salam Aviation Industry”, “Sami Ground Systems”, and “Sami Unmanned Systems” held a series of workshops, bilateral meetings and discussion sessions with Turkish suppliers, to review their industrial capabilities and the extent of their compatibility with the requirements of the group and the participating Saudi companies.
Discussions included areas of support and sustainment of aviation systems, ground systems, autonomous and unmanned systems, munitions, defense electronics, advanced manufacturing, as well as opportunities to develop supply and supply chains.
Saudi companies also reviewed their manufacturing capabilities and technical expertise, and discussed with their Turkish counterparts opportunities for cooperation in local production and developing suppliers, which contributes to expanding the national industrial base and enhancing the participation of Saudi companies in the defense industries system.
According to the company, the discussions resulted in identifying opportunities to strengthen local supply chains and expand manufacturing activities within the Kingdom, in addition to future possibilities for developing technical capabilities and artificial intelligence applications, transferring industrial knowledge and expertise, and providing new job opportunities.
Engineer Thamer Al-Muhaid, CEO of Sami Group, said that Saudi-Turkish relations have laid the foundations for industrial cooperation between the two countries, noting that the group seeks to build on them through partnerships that combine Turkish industrial expertise with growth and investment opportunities available to Saudi companies.
He explained that the meeting allowed direct communication between the group’s companies, qualified suppliers and industrial partners, stressing that “Sami’s” ambition goes beyond concluding commercial contracts to building sustainable partnerships that support local manufacturing, developing Saudi suppliers, and transferring technology and knowledge, in line with the goals of “Saudi Vision 2030.”
The holding of the first edition of “Suppliers Corner Day” represents a transition of the program from the launch stage to the stage of direct communication with international manufacturers and suppliers, by aligning the needs of Saudi companies with the available industrial capabilities, and opening new paths for technical and commercial cooperation.
Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sami Group, launched the “Rokn” program during the World Defense Exhibition 2026, with the aim of developing local content in military industries and enhancing the integration of national value and supply chains.
The program is based on two strategic tracks: The first is to increase local production and enhance the share of purchases of national products and services, while the second aims to reduce dependence on external suppliers, by building a more integrated and flexible national production network in responding to industrial and defense needs.
The program relies on a system that combines governance, digital tools, and investment incentives, in addition to developing industrial infrastructure, investing in modern technologies, and qualifying Saudi talent, in a way that supports the sustainability of supply chains and raises defense readiness.
“Rukn” also works to connect Saudi companies and suppliers with international industrial partners, government agencies and relevant national institutions, to expand the private sector’s participation in the defense industries and enhance its production and technical capabilities.
These efforts come within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to localize more than 50 percent of total military spending by 2030, by developing a national industrial base capable of meeting defense needs, enhancing technology transfer, providing job opportunities, and supporting the diversification of the economy.
