Doha / Riyadh — In a major development amid rising regional tensions, Gulf countries have declared that an attack on any one member state will be treated as an attack on all. The announcement came during a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Doha, convened in the wake of Israel’s recent strike on the Qatari capital.
According to a joint declaration, the six GCC states agreed to bolster their joint air defense system, enhance intelligence sharing, and conduct coordinated military training exercises. Officials said the measures are part of a six-point agenda designed to strengthen regional security.
“This is a clear and unified message against external aggression,” a GCC statement read, emphasizing that any hostile action in the Gulf region would trigger a collective response. The declaration was widely interpreted as a direct warning to Israel following its escalating military actions.
Pakistan–Saudi Arabia Defense Agreement
The summit’s outcomes coincided with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, where a landmark bilateral defense agreement was signed with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The accord commits both nations to mutual defense, declaring that aggression against one would be considered aggression against the other.
The signing ceremony in Riyadh was attended by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and senior ministers, underscoring the agreement’s strategic weight.
In a joint statement, both countries stressed that the pact reflects a shared determination to safeguard peace and security, not only in the Gulf but also across the wider region.
Observers say the combined declaration by GCC states and the Pakistan–Saudi defense accord signals a deepening of military cooperation at a time when regional rivalries are intensifying.
