In a Gulf stance that reaffirms solidarity with Riyadh, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani emphasized that the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council, affirming his country's solidarity with Saudi Arabia in the measures it takes to preserve its sovereignty and protect its security.

During the 168th ministerial meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Manama on Sunday, Al-Zayani condemned the continued attacks by the Houthi militia on civilians in Saudi Arabia, reiterating his country's supportive stance towards the Kingdom in facing the threats targeting its security and sovereignty.

He affirmed that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb is a cornerstone for the stability of the global economy, referring to the importance of protecting maritime corridors and ensuring the continuity of international trade.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Al-Budaiwi, reiterated his strong condemnation of the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, describing them as "criminal behavior," and calling on the international community to take action to stop these assaults.

He confirmed the rejection of the Houthi attacks targeting the Kingdom, stressing the necessity for the international community to act to halt them.

The Secretary-General described the Iranian attacks on Gulf countries as a blatant violation of their sovereignty, reaffirming the rejection of Iran's targeting of maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.

The statements reflect a confirmation of the interconnectedness of the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the rejection of attacks targeting their territories or populations. This stance gains importance given the strategic significance of the strait as one of the main maritime corridors for transporting oil, gas, and international trade, making the security of navigation there an issue that transcends the region to the global economy.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major maritime outlet for energy exports from the Gulf region, while Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and serves as an important passage for ships traveling between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.

The Gulf statements highlight the importance of protecting the sovereignty of states and the security of maritime corridors, in light of the connection between the stability of the region and the safety of navigation and international trade.