GCC-US defence ministers agree joint patrols to block Iran arms to Yemen

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States have agreed to conduct joint patrols to stop any Iranian arms shipments reaching Yemen, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Secretary General of the GCC, told a press conference following a meeting between GCC defense ministers with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

In a joint press conference with Secretary Carter, Al-Zayani described the meeting as constructive in which military cooperation ties between the two sides as well as ways of enhancing joint cooperation in several fields, including missile defense system, maritime security, armament, military training and cyber space security were discussed.

He added that the meeting was also preparatory to tomorrow's summit between GCC leaders and U.S. President Barack Obama in Riyadh.

He explained that the two sides discussed the security situations in the region, citing the disputes and wars endangering the region as well as the international efforts to fight Daesh organization.

The GCC ministers expressed concern over Iran's practices to destabilize the region's security and stability, its interference in the domestic affairs of the region's countries and support for terrorist organizations, he said as quoted by Saudi Press Agency, SPA.

He added that the U.S. Secretary of Defense vowed commitment to stand by the side of the GCC against such practices, and provide training to the GCC armed forces through joint bilateral or joint land, air, air defense and naval and military exercises to upgrade the battle preparedness for the armed forces of the GCC countries.

He also cited the military medicine, supplying and communications as other areas for cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter stressed that the United States of America reiterated its commitment of its partner's security in the GCC.

"During our meeting today, we focused on a number of principles, including defeating Daesh, confronting Iran's activities aiming to destabilize the region and supporting efforts of stability and security in the Middle East," Carter added.

The US Secretary of Defense disclosed that he discussed aspects of cooperation among the GCC defense ministries and the United States in addition to ways of enhancing them as well as taking advantage of the experiences against any threat and raising its readiness in all fields.

Source :WAM