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His Excellency the Minister of State for Interior Affairs, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed al-Thani, has honoured senior officials overseeing the joint tactical exercise of the security agencies of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states, “Arabian Gulf Security 4”, along with several commanders from participating US forces. Those recognised included Major General (Staff) Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Suwaidi, head of the exercise’s supreme committee, as well as chairmen of the corresponding committees from GCC member states.**media[413015]**The honours were presented on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the exercise, in recognition of the professional and organisational efforts that contributed to its success. The drill featured advanced field co-ordination, integrated procedures and the exchange of expertise between GCC security agencies and the United States, aimed at strengthening collective security and regional stability.  

The Secretary-General of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi, affirmed that the Arabian Gulf Security 4 joint tactical exercise for security agencies in the GCC countries reinforces Gulf security integration and embodies the GCC states’ unity and their shared destiny. During his participation in the closing day of the exercise, AlBudaiwi stated: “This fourth edition of the drill, conducted by the GCC ministries of interior with the participation of specialised units from the friendly United States of America, is of paramount importance in supporting the collective Gulf security framework.” The secretary-general added that the Arabian Gulf Security 4 exercise embodies the mutual commitment to developing security work mechanisms, exchanging expertise and best practices, as well as unifying efforts in confronting cross-border risks and threats. He pointed out that such exercises constitute a fundamental pillar for strengthening institutional integration and activating security co-operation avenues among member states. The GCC secretary-general commended the efforts of the Qatari Ministry of Interior in hosting and organising this exercise, and the resources it provided that contributed to its success, as well as the efforts of the participating forces from the Ministries of Interior. He expressed his hope that the exercise would achieve its strategic objectives, fulfilling the aspirations of the leaders of the GCC states, and ensuring sustained security and stability to the peoples of the GCC countries. 

Qatar officially launched the fourth edition of Arabian Gulf Security — a large-scale joint tactical exercise bringing together security forces from across the Gulf Cooperation Council — in a ceremony Sunday under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. The exercise, which runs until 4 February, features comprehensive participation from all six GCC member states — Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — alongside specialised security units from the United States. His Excellency Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Abdullah bin Khalaf bin Hattab al-Kaabi attended the opening ceremony, along with Assistant Secretary-General for Security Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat Brigadier-General Hamad Ajlan al-Amim, Their Excellencies the heads of the exercise's higher committees from across GCC nations, and senior officers and representatives of the participating security agencies. Arabian Gulf Security 4 comprises over 70 advanced training scenarios, amassing more than 260 hours of intensive field drills aimed at sharpening tactical preparedness and boosting operational efficiency. Officials have underscored the exercise's core objectives: to elevate security readiness among participating forces, strengthen integration and field co-ordination across multiple agencies, and assess and refine operational plans, response protocols, and joint interoperability. The drills are designed to reflect the advanced professionalism and evolving capabilities of Gulf security agencies in facing contemporary security challenges. The scenarios are built around real-world situations, spanning from counterterrorism and emergency response to complex field operations, enabling participating forces to critically evaluate and enhance collective strategies. Arabian Gulf Security 4 forms part of a wider series of periodic joint tactical exercises, initiated by GCC Interior Ministers, with the goal of reinforcing collective regional security and fostering a unified operational command structure. The first edition was held in Bahrain in 2016, followed by the second in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, and the third in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province in 2022. The ongoing fourth edition now highlights Qatar's pivotal role as a strategic host and active contributor to regional stability. This continued collaboration supports the GCC's broader mission of developing an integrated and agile security framework, as laid out in the Joint Security Agreement and in line with the GCC's collective security principles. 

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Qatar is launching one of the region’s most significant joint security events — the Arabian Gulf Security 4. This large-scale tactical exercise brings together security agencies from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and strategic partners from the United States, underscoring a shared commitment to collective defense, preparedness, and regional stability. Hosted by Qatar for the first time, the 11-day exercise officially begins this morning and marks a new chapter in regional security co-operation. Participating forces include security apparatuses from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait, alongside specialised US units. The event highlights the integration of Gulf expertise, the strengthening of operational partnerships, and the advancement of joint readiness across multiple security domains. Designed to address the evolving landscape of security challenges, Arabian Gulf Security 4 aims to enhance coordination mechanisms, unify response strategies, and reinforce the GCC’s capacity for effective crisis management. Over 70 complex scenarios will unfold across 260 hours of intensive field exercises, testing operational measures, decision-making frameworks, and communication across command levels. The exercise covers a wide spectrum of simulations—including counter-terrorism, civil unrest, cyber threats, border security, and natural disaster response — allowing participating forces to test and refine both tactical capabilities and command-and-control structures. Aligned with international standards and best practices, the drill places strong emphasis on interoperability, information sharing, and rapid deployment readiness. Extensive preparations throughout 2025 saw a series of coordination meetings held in Doha, during which Qatar played a leading role in operational planning and logistical alignment. This leadership further underscores Qatar’s growing stature as a regional hub for security innovation and coordination. “Qatar has once again proven its ability to serve as a hub for high-level coordination and security innovation in the Gulf,” a regional analyst, reflecting widespread recognition of the country’s organisational capacity and strategic vision, said. Arabian Gulf Security 4 will conclude on February 4, with participating states conducting joint evaluations and sharing outcomes to refine collective security frameworks and sustain long-term cooperation among GCC partners. 

Qatar has an important role to play in ensuring Gulf security, especially in the emerging scenario since the open war between Iran and Israel because of its role as a conflict resolution player, noted a Middle East security expert.“The effort that Qatar is making alongside Egypt in bringing Israel and Hamas to a ceasefire in Gaza is extremely significant to de-escalating tensions in the region. So, I think that is an important role that Qatar plays,” Hasan Alhasan, senior fellow for Middle East Policy, International Institute for Strategic Studies told Gulf Times.He was interacting with Gulf Times on the sidelines of a panel discussion ‘Rethinking Gulf Security Following the Iran- Israel War,’ organised by the Middle East Council on Global Affairs.“Qatar is a member of the GCC and obviously it received a lot of GCC support and solidarity during the Iranian attacks at the height of the war. So, I think Qatar is an important diplomatic player and it is using its good offices to broker de-escalation in conflict resolution,” explained the official.As for the readiness of the GCC countries to face any emerging security threats, Alhasan noted that there is significant military modernisation in the Gulf States including Qatar.He feels that the recent war between Iran and Israel has direct security destabilising spillover effects for the Arab Gulf states and the Arab Gulf states are beginning to perceive it increasingly.“I think Israel actually presents more of a direct threat because of the fact that it seems to have embraced the view of the region as an open battleground. This has direct security destabilising spillover effects for the Arab and the Gulf States,” he said.Alhasan highlighted there is a significant improvement in GCC defence and military capabilities over the past few years.“However the GCC states may not be capable of addressing the threat posed by Israel specifically as they continue to rely on Western defence technology. They continue to rely on their defence and security partnership with the US and those might not prove fully effective in deterring and defending against potential, theoretical and hypothetical threats,” he continued.The expert stated that Qatar and the other GCC states are already part of a defence and security alliance, which is called the GCC. “The GCC has a mutual defence undertaking that unites all of the GCC states together. So, the GCC states already have this sort of commitment to defending one another against external threats,” he underlined.“The question is whether the GCC states are actually taking concrete steps and measures for further defence integration to make sure that they can act as a single army in case of conflict. And this is where I think a lot of the work will have to be done to bring GCC military and defence capabilities more closely together to operate cohesively as a single military unit in case of any conflict,” added, Alhasan.