The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has reaffirmed its full solidarity with Saudi Arabia after ballistic missiles and drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement targeted the Saudi cities of Riyadh and Khamis Mushait.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi strongly condemned the attacks, saying the escalation represented a serious violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and posed a direct threat to civilian safety and regional stability.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Albudaiwi said the GCC member states stand alongside Saudi Arabia and support measures taken by the Kingdom to protect its territory, security and national interests.
He also called on the international community to adopt a firm position aimed at preventing further Houthi attacks and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
Missiles and drones intercepted
The GCC statement followed an announcement that Saudi-led coalition air-defence forces had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles and two drones launched toward Saudi territory.
According to the coalition, the ballistic missiles were directed toward Khamis Mushait, while the drones were heading toward the Riyadh area.
The latest attacks come amid a broader escalation involving Houthi missile and drone strikes against Saudi territory. The United Nations Security Council has also condemned continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes affecting civilian and energy infrastructure, while stressing the importance of protecting commercial shipping and navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye strengthen defence coordination
The developments also coincided with a meeting in Riyadh involving the chiefs of defence forces and chiefs of general staff of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye under the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.
The three countries reviewed the security situation and threats facing Saudi Arabia and discussed ways to strengthen military coordination, intelligence sharing and defence capabilities. They also reaffirmed their commitment to collective defence and to protecting Saudi Arabia’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement was signed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye on August 7. The agreement provides that an attack against one of the parties is to be regarded as an attack against all three, while establishing mechanisms for closer defence cooperation.
Regional security concerns grow
The latest developments underline the growing security pressures surrounding Saudi Arabia and the wider Red Sea region. Continued missile and drone attacks have raised concerns over civilian safety, critical infrastructure and regional stability, while international bodies have repeatedly called for an end to attacks affecting civilians and commercial navigation.
The GCC said its member states would continue to stand with Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom works to protect its territory and national security.
