The Gulf Cooperation Council, in a statement issued on Sunday, October 18, following the 168th meeting of the Council of Ministers in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, called for the Houthi group in Yemen to be recognized as a terrorist organization. In this statement, the council members emphasized that the Houthis should be treated like groups that threaten international security, peace, and stability.
Condemnation of Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia
The foreign ministers of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council also called for the cessation of all support for the Houthis, which enables them to access missiles and drones. The council strongly condemned the ongoing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, considering these actions a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
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The statement from the Gulf Cooperation Council noted that these attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The council members reiterated their full support for Saudi Arabia and the country's efforts to protect its sovereignty and security, stating that the security of the member states of this council is "indivisible."
Emphasis on the Right to Self-Defense and Implementation of Sanctions
The Gulf Cooperation Council also emphasized the right to individual and collective self-defense of member states, citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, and called for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Yemen and the Houthis. The council urged the United Nations and the international community to fully and rigorously enforce the arms embargo against the Houthis.
In another part of the statement, the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned missile and drone attacks attributed to the Islamic Republic of Iran against member countries and Jordan, calling on this country to adhere to Security Council resolutions. Additionally, the council stated that the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea are vital waterways whose security is a shared responsibility of the international community.
In conclusion, the Gulf Cooperation Council called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional crises and emphasized the mediating efforts of friendly countries in this regard.
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