The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries called for classifying the Houthi group as a terrorist group, and stopping the support that enables it to possess missiles and drones, while they called on Iran to stop its attacks on the countries of the region and compensate for the damages resulting from them.
During their meeting in Manama, the ministers stressed the need to involve the Gulf states in any negotiations or arrangements affecting their security, and for any understandings with Iran to include its nuclear, missile and drone programme, and support for proxies in the region, while supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing the escalation. The Gulf foreign ministers and their Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, also stressed, in the ninth ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council and Russia, on addressing crises diplomatically. Lavrov stressed the need to give the Gulf states the decisive say and the basic decision in the security arrangements for the region.
On the ground, 6 Saudi citizens were injured when a Houthi projectile fell on a residential site in Najran, while the “Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen” destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militias towards Khamis Mushait, and 3 drones targeting the Riyadh and Sharqiya regions. Two Saudi officers were also martyred after a reconnaissance helicopter crashed in Najran as a result of a technical defect, and the “coalition” vowed strict measures to neutralize the Houthis’ capabilities. The coalition confirmed taking strict operational measures, vowing to neutralize and destroy the offensive capabilities of the Houthi militias, and protect civilians.
Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Minister of Defense, reviewed with Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed the developments in the regional situation and the importance of consultation on the priorities of this stage.
Under the guidance of the Saudi leadership, Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed at the Beach Palace in Abu Dhabi, on Sunday, in the presence of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President of the Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Presidential Court.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged visions regarding the latest developments in the region, and issues and topics of common interest.
The meeting was attended from the Saudi side by Hisham bin Saif, Advisor to the Minister of Defense for Intelligence Affairs, and from the Emirati side, Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and National Security Advisor, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office for Special Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun, Advisor to the President of the State, and a number of officials.
On the other hand, Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi, where they reviewed Saudi-Emirati relations and stressed the importance of continuing coordination and joint cooperation. In a way that contributes to supporting the security and stability of the region.
Prince Khalid bin Salman had arrived earlier in Abu Dhabi, where he was received at Al Bateen Airport by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries called for classifying the Houthi group as a “terrorist” group and stopping the support that enables it to possess missiles and drones, while they called on Iran to stop its attacks on the countries of the region and compensate for the damages resulting from them.
The ministers also stressed the need to involve the Gulf states in any negotiations or arrangements affecting their security, and for any understandings with Iran to include its nuclear, missile and drone programme, and support for proxies in the region, while supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing the escalation.
The final statement of the 168th session of the Gulf Ministerial Council, which was held on Sunday in Manama, condemned the ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including targeting the Two Holy Mosques and their surrounding areas, and attacking civilian airports and vital installations, and the resulting civilian casualties and injuries, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims and his wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured.
The Council affirmed the full solidarity of the Gulf states with Saudi Arabia, and supported all measures it takes to protect its security and sovereignty, stressing that any attack on a member state constitutes an attack on all the Council states in accordance with the Joint Defense Agreement, and affirming the right of the Council states to defend themselves individually and collectively in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
The ministers welcomed the presidential statement issued by the Security Council on October 15, which condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of Aramco facilities, and which affirmed the Kingdom’s right to defend itself. They also called for strict implementation of the arms embargo to the Houthis, and supported reaching a political solution to the Yemeni crisis in accordance with the three terms of reference.
Regarding the Iranian issue, the Ministerial Council held Tehran fully responsible for the attacks on the Gulf states and Jordan, and demanded that those responsible be held accountable, and that Iran be obligated to compensate for the resulting damages, in accordance with Human Rights Council Resolution No. 61/1 of 2026.
The ministers stressed the importance of protecting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, warning against closing these passages or obstructing navigation in them, targeting commercial ships and their crews, or planting mines. They refused to impose illegal fees or restrictions on the crossing of ships, or subject transit traffic to prior permission or imposed routes. They demanded the restoration of freedom of navigation and the return of conditions in the Strait of Hormuz to what they were before last February 28.
