Today in the State of Qatar, the joint tactical exercise for the security services of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, “Arabian Gulf Security 4,” was launched, which is witnessing broad participation from Saudi security forces alongside their counterparts from the Gulf countries, in addition to specialized security units from the United States of America, in a step aimed at enhancing security readiness and raising the level of joint coordination.
Launch ceremony and official attendance
The opening ceremony of the exercise was attended by high-ranking security officials, including Qatar's Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Abdullah bin Khalaf bin Hattab Al-Kaabi, and the Assistant Secretary-General for Security Affairs at the General Secretariat of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Brigadier General Hamad Ajlan Al-Amimi. Also present from the Saudi side were the Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Saudi participating force, Major General Awad bin Mashouh Al-Anzi, along with the heads of the exercise's supreme committees from various GCC countries, and a number of security leaders and officers.
Saudi participation and strategic objectives
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is participating in this prominent security event with a specialized security force comprising personnel from the Ministry of Interior and the Presidency of State Security. This active participation aims to strengthen security cooperation, develop mechanisms for mutual coordination, and exchange field and technical expertise among the internal security sectors of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The inclusion of units from the United States adds an international dimension to the exercise, contributing to exposure to the latest global security tactics.
Context and history of the exercise: A journey of security cooperation
The “Arabian Gulf Security 4” exercise is the latest in a series of joint security exercises that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have been conducting regularly. The first edition was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2016, followed by the second in the United Arab Emirates in 2020, and the third in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia in 2022. These exercises are a practical application of the Gulf security agreements, which stipulate that the security of the Gulf states is indivisible.
The importance of the event and its regional impact
This exercise is of paramount importance given the evolving security challenges facing the region and the world. It focuses on unifying security concepts and enhancing the readiness of security teams to address various scenarios, including counterterrorism, border protection, and crisis and disaster management. The exercise also sends a clear message about the strength of the Gulf Cooperation Council's internal front and its ability to act as a unified force against any threats that might affect the region's stability and resources, thus reinforcing the Gulf collective security system.
