Pakistan welcomes formation of 34-nation alliance against terrorism

A statement by the alliance member states said the said countries had made a decision to form a military alliance under the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism. The United Arab Emirates said two weeks ago that it is ready to commit ground troops against jihadists in Syria and described Russian air strikes in the country as attacks on a “common enemy”. “But in general it appears it is very much in line with something we’ve been urging for quite some time, which is greater involvement in the campaign to combat ISIL (Islamic State) by Sunni Arab countries”, Carter added.

Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman said at a rare news conference that the bloc will develop mechanisms for working with other countries and worldwide bodies to support counterterrorism efforts.

Alliance member states are:Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the U.A.E, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladish, Benin, Chad, Togo, Turkey, Tunisia, Djibouti, Senegal, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Gabon, Guinea, Palestine, the Commoros, Qatar, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, the Maldives, Mali, Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, the Niger, Nigeria and Yemen.

Although analysts say the partnership of 34 nations may be a ploy to rally Sunni Muslim powers against Riyadh’s main rival, the Shiite powerhouse of Iran, the Obama administration expressed hope that the development will focus more on bolstering the U.S.-led fight against the Islamic State group.

Its task will be “to protect Muslim countries from all terrorist groups and organizations, whatever their sect and name, which spread death across the world with the aim of terrorising innocent people”.

The grouping of Muslim nations will confront any terrorist threat, including Islamic State, and coordinate with “globally important countries and global organizations”, he said.

He said that Pakistan also called for joining the regional and worldwide efforts to fight terrorism and extremist thought.

“And that is why I have asked Secretary Carter to go to the Middle East – he’ll depart right after this press briefing – to work with our coalition partners on securing more military contributions to this fight”. However, it should be noted that Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria which are under going a period of civil war fighting with terrorist organisations are not a part of this alliance.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry welcomed the formation of the alliance to counter terrorism but did not confirm claims by the Saudi authorities. “We can’t undertake these operations without coordinating with legitimacy in this place and the worldwide community”, bin Salman said without elaborating.

The announcement of the coalition comes after Saudi Arabia succeeded in bringing Syria’s disparate opposition groups to the negotiating table.