GCC ministerial council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at Manama meeting

The ministerial council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) held its 168th session on Sunday, 7 Jumada Al-Awwal 1448 AH (October 18, 2026), in Manama, Bahrain. The meeting was chaired by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, with the participation of the foreign ministers of GCC member states and GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi. The council discussed serious developments in the region and reached the following conclusions: 

First: Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia 

The council strongly condemned the ongoing attacks by the Houthi militia against Saudi Arabia, including targeting the Two Holy Mosques and surrounding areas, as well as attacks on civilian airports and vital facilities. These assaults have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries, constituting a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law. The council expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a swift recovery. 

The council affirmed the full solidarity of GCC states with Saudi Arabia, standing united in support of all measures the Kingdom takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and interests. It stressed that the security of GCC countries is indivisible and that any attack on a member state is considered a direct attack on all, in accordance with the Joint Defense Agreement. The council reaffirmed the inherent right of member states to defend themselves, individually and collectively, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and to take all necessary measures to protect their citizens, residents, sovereignty, security, stability, and interests.

The ministerial council called for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on Yemen and the Houthi insurgency, including Resolution 2216 (2015) under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and Resolution 2722 (2024) regarding attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The council urged the United Nations and the international community to ensure strict enforcement of the arms embargo on the Houthi militia as outlined in these resolutions, and called on the Security Council—particularly its permanent members—to fulfill their responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security, enforcing its resolutions, and treating freedom of maritime and air navigation as a shared international interest that does not allow for selectivity.

The council also called for the designation of the Houthi militia as a terrorist group and for it to be treated in line with international approaches to terrorist organizations that threaten security, peace, development, and prosperity. It called for an end to all support enabling the group to acquire missiles and drones. 

The council welcomed the presidential statement adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council on October 15, 2026, which condemned the ongoing and escalating Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Aramco facilities, affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to self-defense under international law, and condemned attacks and threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait. The statement also emphasized full implementation of the arms embargo under Resolution 2216 (2015). The council commended Bahrain’s efforts as a Security Council member in this regard and stressed the need for full implementation of the statement.  

GCC states reaffirmed their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Yemen and back efforts to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis through dialogue and understanding, in line with the three references: the outcomes of the comprehensive Yemeni National Dialogue, the Gulf Initiative, and relevant Security Council resolutions. These efforts aim to fulfill the aspirations of the Yemeni people for peace, security, and stability.

Second: Iranian attacks on GCC states 

The council condemned the continued Iranian attacks using missiles and drones against GCC states and Jordan, whether directly or through regional proxies. These attacks have targeted civilian facilities, service sites, residential areas, and diplomatic missions, causing significant material damage and threatening the safety and security of citizens and residents. 

The council held Iran fully responsible for these attacks and their consequences, rejected all Iranian justifications for such actions, and demanded an immediate and unconditional halt to all attacks, provocations, and threats, as well as full compliance with Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026). The council called on the Security Council and the international community to fulfill their responsibilities, ensure full implementation of the resolution, hold those responsible for the attacks accountable, and require Iran to provide full reparations for all resulting damages, in accordance with Human Rights Council Resolution 61/1 (2026).

The council emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz, Bab Al-Mandab, and the Red Sea are vital waterways not only for the region but also as key arteries for the global economy. Ensuring their security, safe navigation, and freedom of passage is a shared international responsibility. The council stressed that closing these straits, disrupting navigation, targeting commercial vessels and crews, laying mines, or imposing unauthorized fees or restrictions on passage pose threats to international peace and security and endanger global energy, food, medicine supplies, and trade. The council rejected any attempt to subject the right of transit passage to prior authorization or imposed routes, contrary to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and customary international law. It called on the International Maritime Organization to continue fulfilling its responsibilities to safeguard navigation and protect seafarers. The council called for restoring security and freedom of navigation and returning conditions in the Strait of Hormuz to their status prior to February 28, 2026, in accordance with international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the July 25, 1974 agreement between Oman and Iran on maritime boundaries and the continental shelf, with respect for the sovereignty of littoral states and the rights of concerned countries. 

The ministerial council called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to overcome the current crisis, maintain regional security and stability, and protect the well-being of its peoples. The council expressed support for mediation and diplomatic efforts by regional and friendly countries to reach a political solution that prevents further escalation and instability, which would not serve the interests of the region or the world. The council stressed that any agreements must address all outstanding issues, including Iran’s nuclear file, missile and drone programs, and support for proxies, based on respect for sovereignty, good neighborliness, and non-interference in internal affairs, with the involvement of GCC states in any negotiations or arrangements affecting their security and interests. 

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