UAE's Gargash urges stronger Gulf security and defense cooperation

Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, called for renewed Gulf cooperation on security and defense, Gulf News reported.

He warned that attacks on Saudi Arabia undermine the security of the UAE and every other Gulf state. His comments came in a post on X.

Who is Anwar Gargash in the UAE?

Dr. Anwar Gargash serves as diplomatic adviser to the UAE president. In that role, he has now urged Gulf states to revive joint action on security and defense. He says the region’s security cannot be separated, and that all Gulf countries face the same threats.

What did Gargash say about attacks on Gulf states?

Gargash said the attacks on Gulf countries had exposed the shared nature of regional threats. He stressed that the security of Gulf states cannot be separated. He added that targeting Saudi Arabia directly threatens the security of the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

He said the attacks stemmed from the aggressor’s mistaken belief that Gulf countries were the weakest link in a war they had sought to avoid. “Since the aggression against the Arab Gulf states began, it has become clear that we are all being targeted and that our security is indivisible,” he wrote.

What does Gargash want Gulf states to do on defense?

Gargash called for a revival of joint Gulf action, particularly in security and defense. He also urged stronger collective security arrangements across the region.

He acknowledged serious shortcomings in Gulf defense cooperation. He argued that these failures had encouraged others to target the region. “Gulf security is a shared responsibility that allows no room for complacency or delay,” he said.