In November 2023, the Sultanate of Oman hosted the 20th regular meeting of the Supreme Military Committee of the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states at Al Bustan Palace Hotel in Muscat.
The meeting was chaired by Vice Adm. Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi, chief of staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces and attended by members of the Supreme Military Committee (GCC armed forces’ chiefs of staff): Lt. Gen. Eid bin Awad Al Shalawi, commander of the GCC Unified Military Command, and Maj. Gen. Issa bin Rashid Al Muhannadi Al Amin, assistant secretary-general for military affairs.
Discussions focused on common military interests, aspirations among the armed forces of the GCC and ways to achieve GCC objectives in various military fields, including how to jointly respond to crises; requirements for joint operations; unifying visions; military coordination; operational compatibility; and force integration.
“This meeting comes as a continuation of the process of joint military action, an enhancement of aspects of constructive cooperation, and a strengthening of the bonds of fraternal ties between the countries of the GCC,” Vice Adm. Al Raisi said. “We’re hopeful that this meeting contributes to promoting interconnection, integration, joint action and enhancing mutual military interests among the armed forces of the GCC member states in a way that meets the aspirations of our peoples.”
Established in 1982 and headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the GCC Unified Military Command, also known as the Peninsula Shield Force, is a joint military command composed of forces from member states and has 30,000 fighters from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Sources: Omani Ministry of Defense, Oman News Agency