[18/10/2026 05:04]

MANAMMA - SABA
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) affirmed the sovereignty of the Republic of Yemen and the unity of its territory, calling on the UN Security Council to implement its resolutions regarding Yemen and the rebellion of the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias.

At its 168th session held in the Bahraini capital, Manama, chaired by Bahrain's Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif al-Zayani, the GCC Ministerial Council called for designating the Houthi militias as a terrorist group and dealing with them like the international system deals with terrorist groups that threaten security, peace, development and prosperity, and to stop all support that enables them to possess missiles and drones.

The final statement of the ministerial council pointed to supporting efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to the Yemeni crisis through dialogue and understanding, according to the three references (the outcomes of the comprehensive Yemeni National Dialogue, the Gulf Initiative and relevant UN Security Council resolutions), in a way that contributes to achieving the Yemeni people's aspirations for peace, security and stability.

The ministerial council stressed the need to implement the UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216 (2015) issued under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, and Resolution 2722 (2024) regarding attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

The council called on the UN and the international community to ensure the strict enforcement of the arms supply ban to the Houthi terrorist militias, as stipulated in these resolutions, and urged the Security Council, and especially its permanent members, to take up their responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security, enforcing its resolutions, and considering freedom of maritime and air navigation as a shared international interest that cannot be selective.

In its final statement, the GCC's ministerial council emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea are vital waterways whose importance extends beyond the countries of the region; they are key arteries for the global economy, and ensuring their security, safe navigation and freedom is a shared international interest and responsibility.

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