TUNIS, Oct 9: A Kuwaiti security official emphasized the urgent need to strengthen joint Arab efforts and enhance coordination among Arab countries to effectively combat terrorism and extremism.

Brigadier General Dabbous Mohammad Al-Dabbous, representing the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, made the remarks while chairing the opening session of the 28th Arab Conference of Counter-Terrorism Officials at the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers in Tunisia on Wednesday.

Al-Dabous described terrorism and extremism as major challenges confronting the global community, including Arab states. He highlighted Kuwait’s commitment to bolstering collective Arab security efforts. He also noted that factors such as distrust, cultural clashes, conflict, unrest, and insecurity are exploited by terrorist groups to spread extremist ideologies within societies.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Koman, Secretary General of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, urged a unified Arab front to counter extremism that leads to terrorism, in line with the updated Arab Strategy for Combating Terrorism (2022). The strategy specifically targets the prevention of extremism as a core pillar.

Koman stressed the importance of cutting off terrorist financing, which directly affects their ability to recruit members, acquire weapons, and maintain logistics. He also highlighted emerging challenges, including the use of artificial intelligence by criminal groups, which pose significant obstacles for Arab security agencies.

The conference gathers senior officials from Arab interior ministries responsible for counter-terrorism. Kuwait’s delegation includes Brigadier General Dabbous Mohammad Al-Dabbous, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Al-Amir, and Major Mohammed Al-Asimi.