Pakistan welcomes 34-nation Saudi alliance against terrorism

“It is in this context that Pakistan welcomes the formation of the 34-nation alliance to counter terrorism and is awaiting further details to decide the extent of its participation in different activities of the alliance”, FO stated.

A statement carried by SPA added that the new coalition would have a joint operations center based in Riyadh to “coordinate and support military operations”.

In the meantime, the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir further explained the new bloc from Paris yesterday and discussed the possibility of sending troops to Syria.

Islamic Military Alliance secretary-general Ihsan bin Saleh Tayib said: “This new alliance, which aims to fight terrorism through all ways, means and mechanisms, confirms the keenness to fight in every place and time”.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said he is looking forward to learning more about what Saudi Arabia has in mind.

Pakistan later declined to join the Yemen war. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly so spoke on condition of anonymity.

On Monday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that 34 Muslim countries had agreed to form an “anti-terrorism” alliance to be headquartered in Saudi capital Riyadh.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey, the only North Atlantic Treaty Organisation member in the new coalition, called it the “best response to those who are trying to associate terror and Islam”.

He said the development highlights Oman’s policy of “permanent neutrality”.

A Jordanian government spokesman confirmed that the Hashemite kingdom is part of the coalition.

Western nations, particularly United States, have welcomed the declaration of the anti-terrorism alliance and promised its full support to defeat the notorious enemies in the region.

Saudi Arabia has been on the target list of the self-proclaimed Caliphate terrorist organization.

Others from the Middle East include Tunisia, Lebanon, Libya and Egypt. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia are also part of the effort, as are a number of African countries such as Sudan, Somalia, Mali and Nigeria.