UAE Presidential Adviser Gargash Calls for Revived Joint Gulf Security Action After Riyadh Airport Attacks

Dr Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, called on October 12 for renewed Gulf cooperation on security and defense, warning that attacks on Saudi Arabia undermine the security of the UAE and every other Gulf state, according to statements reported by Gulf News, The National, and Emirates 24/7. In a post on X, Gargash said the attacks had exposed the shared nature of threats facing the region, stressing that the security of Gulf states is indivisible. 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. Gargash called for a revival of joint Gulf action, particularly in security and defense, and for stronger collective security arrangements. He acknowledged serious shortcomings in Gulf defense cooperation, arguing that these failures had encouraged others to target the region. The statement followed Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 10 and 11 that Saudi authorities said caused 12 deaths and hundreds of injuries, and a second attack on October 11 that killed one Pakistani resident and injured 11 others.

UAE airlines including Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia cancelled flights to Riyadh and other Saudi cities through October 14 because of the regional disruption. The scope and timing of any renewed collective security arrangements remain uncertain.

Sources

Gulf News, Anwar Gargash calls for stronger Gulf security and defence cooperation, October 12, 2026, gulfnews.com The National, Gargash calls for stronger Gulf security and collective defence, October 12, 2026, thenationalnews.com Emirates 24/7, Gargash: Targeting Saudi Arabia undermines the security of all Gulf states, October 12, 2026, emirates247.com ANI, UAE Presidential Adviser calls for reviving joint Gulf action on security, defence amid Houthi attacks on Saudi, October 12, 2026, aninews.in