Saudi Arabia announces 34-nation Islamic antiterrorism alliance
On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia said that 33 other Islamic nations have agreed to join it in a Riyadh-based "Islamic military alliance" to fight terrorism. The new group includes big nations like Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan, as well as small ones like the Maldives, plus Libya, Yemen, Malaysia, and several African nations including Nigeria, Chad, Somalia, and Mali. It does not include Saudi Arabia's regional nemesis Iran nor Iraq or Syria.
The goal of the group will be to "coordinate and support military operations to fight terrorism" in the Muslim world, and not just the Islamic State, said Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also defense minister, in an unusual press conference. "Currently, every Muslim country is fighting terrorism individually... so coordinating efforts is very important."
Germany was one of the first Western countries to welcome the new alliance, with some caveats. ISIS has been helped by disagreement among various regional and national players, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen told German broadcaster ZDF. "I think it's right that the opposition is forming a group but it needs to be — and this is important — part of the Vienna process that includes all countries fighting against [ISIS] like the U.S., Europe, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia but also Iran and China."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Today's political cartoons - October 23, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - loving thy neighbour, an HR matter, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Giuliani must hand assets to women he defamed
Speed Read The former New York City mayor must turn over his apartment and other possessions
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Parents of school shooter sentenced to 10-15 years
Speed Read Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents to be convicted in a US mass shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Unlicensed dealers and black market guns
Speed Read 68,000 illegally trafficked guns were sold in a five year period, said ATF
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud
Speed Read Former "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried will report to federal prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Goon Squad' cops sentenced for torturing 2 Black men
Speed Read The former Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty last year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Michigan shooter's dad guilty of manslaughter
speed read James Crumbley failed to prevent his son from killing four students at Oxford High School in 2021
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published