The Media Line: Israel, 7 Arab States Hold Secret Military Talks on Iran, Houthis in Germany  

Israel, 7 Arab States Hold Secret Military Talks on Iran, Houthis in Germany  

By The Media Line Staff  

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir joined the military chiefs of seven Arab countries for a secret meeting in Germany last week, where commanders discussed the war with Iran, Houthi escalation and greater regional security cooperation, Axios reported.  

Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), organized the gathering, bringing together Zamir and his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt. None of the participating countries officially disclosed the meeting.  

CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed that the talks took place, describing them as a planned conference.  

“Last week, CENTCOM hosted senior military officials from eight countries as part of a planned conference in Germany. The commanders discussed opportunities to deepen security cooperation in the Middle East,” Hawkins told Channel 12 News.  

During the discussions, Cooper told the commanders that the US military has no plans to withdraw forces from the Middle East despite Iranian attacks against American bases. He also outlined a US plan to increase vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Zamir, meanwhile, briefed participants on IDF operations across the different fronts.  

While similar gatherings have occurred before, Israeli officials said last week’s conference was the first of its kind since the United States and Israel began the war against Iran more than six months ago. It also brought Israeli commanders together with military leaders from Gulf countries that do not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.  

Regional military ties have expanded since Israel signed the Abraham Accords with the UAE and Bahrain in September 2020. During the war, Israel worked with the UAE and United States in defensive and offensive operations and deployed Iron Dome and Israeli troops to the UAE, Israeli officials said. Israel also supplied the country with real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assistance.  

Cooperation could now expand further with Saudi Arabia. A source familiar with the matter said Israel and Saudi Arabia, with CENTCOM mediating, are discussing possible Israeli assistance for Saudi operations against the Houthis.  

The talks include providing Riyadh with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support similar to the assistance Israel supplies to the UAE as the Houthis escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia and make gains in Yemen.