Gulf Arab states approve military command headquarters in Kuwait

The announcement followed the 23rd meeting of the GCC's Joint Defense Council, attended by defense ministers from the bloc's member states, in Bahrain.

The six Gulf Cooperation Council states have approved the establishment of an advanced headquarters for their Unified Military Command in Kuwait and the deployment of "appropriate" forces to it, the bloc's secretary-general said.

No further details on the headquarters or the forces to be deployed were immediately available. The GCC comprises the US-allied Gulf monarchies of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The announcement followed the 23rd meeting of the GCC's Joint Defense Council, attended by defense ministers from the bloc's member states, in Bahrain.

The GCC established its Unified Military Command at a summit in Kuwait in December 2013 to plan and manage joint military operations and strengthen member states' defense capabilities against potential threats to their territory, airspace, waters and interests.

Gulf states face repeated Iranian missile, drone attacks

The Gulf states, most of which host huge US military bases, have faced repeated Iranian missile and drone attacks since the United States and Israel launched their war with Iran on February 28.

The war has disrupted air travel and shipping, and raised concerns over the security of the region's vital oil and gas exports.