DHAKA: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has formed a coalition of 34 mainly Muslim countries - including powers such as Egypt and Turkey - to coordinate a fight against ‘terrorist organizations’.

The alliance was announced by KSA defense minister and deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, on Tuesday.

Arab countries such as Qatar and the UAE will join the coalition, as well Middle Eastern, Asian, and African states, including Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Nigeria, reports Al Jazeera.

Saudi Arabia’s regional rival Iran and its allies Syria and Iraq, were excluded from the alliance despite the states sharing a common enemy in the Islamic State (IS) of Iraq and Syria group.

Bin Salman said the states would work together to target ‘any terrorist organization, not just IS’ in countries including Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt, and Afghanistan.

Military operations would work in accordance with local laws and in cooperation with the international community, he added.

In an earlier press statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency, officials said the group would be led by Saudi Arabia and the country would host ‘joint operations centre to coordinate’ efforts.

BDST: 1329 HRS, DEC 15, 2015
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