GCC-US patrols to block Iran arms shipments to Al Houthis
US Defence Minister asks Gulf states to play a bigger role in the reconstruction of Iraq and help defeat Daesh
Before US President Barack Obama met with Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter held talks with his Gulf Arab counterparts on ways to counter Iranian influence and fight Daesh (the selfproclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister Mohammad Bin Salman reiterated during the meeting that Iran was playing a destabilising role in the region.
Carter said the US and GCC states would cooperate in the fight against Daesh and also work to counter Iranian meddling the in region.
They agreed on cooperation towards improving Gulf missile defence, special forces and maritime security, but no new deals were announced.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States have agreed to carry out joint patrols to stop Iranian arms shipments reaching Yemen, the bloc’s secretarygeneral, Abdul Latif Al Zayani, said yesterday.
In part, Carter aims to do so by helping them build up their cyber, special operations and maritime capabilities. Carter also asked Gulf state to provide more economic and political support to Iraq now to help the war-torn nation in its fight against Daesh.
Iraq reconstruction
In a series of sessions, Carter urged the Arab countries to specifically help with the reconstruction of cities of Ramadi and Hit as well as Anbar province, areas that have been won back from the militant group but left in near-shambles.
He said helping the Iraqi people go home and rebuild their lives would lead to a more lasting victory and promote a more inclusive government.
The defence ministers’ meeting was aimed at laying the groundwork for today’s summit between Obama and heads of state from the Arab countries. A senior defence official said the defence chiefs had a robust discussion, but came to no solid agreements on the increased aid.
The official said it appears the Gulf nations will be willing to consider doing more.
But they want to wait until they see more political improvements in Baghdad and greater participation and aid for the Sunni population before they agree to do more.
Iraq is struggling to fund an expensive fight against Daesh amid low oil prices, but even the wealthy Gulf countries have had to enact spending limits or consider doing so given their dependence on oil sales as a revenue source.