Islamic Military Alliance

For historical Muslim armies, see early Muslim conquests.
Islamic Military Alliance

Map depicting the Islamic Military Alliance
Formation 15 December 2015
Type Military Alliance
Headquarters Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Location
Membership

The Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism is an intergovernmental military alliance of 34 countries in the Muslim world united around military intervention against ISIL and other counter-terrorist activities.[1] More than ten other Islamic countries, including Indonesia (world's largest Muslim nation), have expressed their support for the alliance, and Azerbaijan is discussing joining the alliance.[2][3][4] Saudi Arabia has also invited Afghanistan to join its newly formed Islamic military alliance against terrorism. Tajikistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia confirmed that Tajikistan is seriously studying the possibility of joining the Islamic Coalition to combat terrorism.[5][6]

The organization is based at a joint command center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Its creation was first announced by Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Defense, on December 15, 2015.[7][8]

Objectives

The alliance has stated that its primary objective is to protect the Muslim countries from all terrorist groups and terrorist organizations irrespective of their sect and name.[9][10][11]

The coalition has stated that it will fight terrorists in "Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan".[12]

The alliance has reaffirmed that it would operate in line with the United Nations and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) provisions on terrorism.[12]

The new coalition is expected to deploy military forces into Syria to fight ISIS.[12]

Members

Listed below are countries that are included as members. Thirty-four countries were announced in the military alliance, each also part of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and forming about 60% of all OIC member states. Although included in the alliance, some countries have opted not to assist militarily while others are in discussion on whether to join it or not.

Country Military roleα Supporter Reference(s)
 Bahrain Yes Yes [13]
 Bangladesh Yes Yes [14] [15] [16]
 Benin Included N/A
 Chad Included N/A
 Comoros Included N/A
 Cote d'Ivoire Included N/A
 Djibouti Included N/A
 Egypt Included Yes [14]
 Gabon Included N/A
 Guinea Included N/A
 Jordan Included Yes [14]
 Kuwait Included N/A
 Lebanon Included N/A
 Libya Yes Yes [17]
 Malaysia No Yes [18]
 Maldives Included N/A
 Mali Included N/A
 Mauritania Included N/A
 Morocco Included N/A
 Niger Included N/A
 Nigeria Yes Yes [17]
 Pakistan No Yes [18][19][20][21]
 Palestine Included N/A
 Qatar Included N/A
 Saudi Arabia Yes Yes [22][23][24]
 Senegal Included N/A
 Sierra Leone Included N/A
 Somalia Included N/A
 Sudan Included N/A
 Togo Included N/A
 Tunisia Included N/A
 Turkey Yes Yes [17]
 United Arab Emirates Yes Yes
 Yemen Included N/A
^α These countries have offered to provide military assistance if needed.

Additional Possible members

The following countries have discussed membership, but have not joined the alliance as yet.

Country Status Reference(s)
 Afghanistan Pending [25]
 Azerbaijan Pending [4]
 Indonesia Pending [3]
 Tajikistan Pending [5][6]

Military strength

A transporter erector launcher (TEL), carrying four cruise missiles, on display at the IDEAS defense exhibition, Karachi, Pakistan.

The combined strength of the alliance presents a formidable force. This strength is further bolstered with the inclusion of a state possessing nuclear weapons: Pakistan. Pakistan has a wide variety of nuclear capable ballistic & cruise missiles like Shaheen II & Babur . In addition, Pakistan also possess land, air and sea based delivery systems for the launch of such missiles.

Another notable mention of the alliance is the Turkish Armed Forces. Turkey is a Regional Power which produces Advanced Military platforms such as the Altay (tank), MILGEM project, TAI/Agusta Westland T129, Bayraktar Tactical UAS and the TAI TFX 5th Generation Air superiority fighter. With Turkey's participation and Industrial know-how the alliance intends to create inter-polarity and network centricity.

Pakistan air force F-16s at Red Flag military exercise in 2010.

United Arab Emirates consists of seven Emirates & possesses the world's most advanced F-16s namely F-16 E/F Block 60s which are a half-generation ahead of the F-16 C/D Block 50/52+ aircrafts that form the backbone of the US Air Force. UAE air force has also been involved in a series of anti terrorists operations in Syria.

Coalition Joint Exercises

Pakistan-Turkey Joint Air Exercise - Tusap Raiders

From October 5 to 17, 2015 the joint air exercise titled 'Tusap Raiders" was conducted at an operation airbase of Pakistan air force. The Turkish Air Force contingent consisted of F-16s (Fighting Falcons), combat pilots and technical ground crew participated in the joint exercise. The objective of the exercise was to excel in the air combat capability and emphasize on air power employment in any future conflict. The aim of the exercise was to enhance mutual understanding between the two allied nations.[26]

Pakistan-Saudi Joint Exercise - Al-Shihab

On 30 October 2015 a joint training exercise was carried out by Pakistan & Saudi special forces in Jhelum, Pakistan. Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif, witnessed the exercise and said "Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong and brotherly relations which have a long history of deep rooted cooperation."

General Sharif reiterated that any threat to Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and territorial integrity will evoke a strong response from Pakistan. He added, "This exercise signifies the joint effort of our two nations against terrorism and Insha Allah we will defeat this menace in all its forms and manifestations".

The six member Saudi delegation was led by General Mufleh Bin Saleem Al-Otaibi, Commander Special Forces of Saudi Arabia.[27]

Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Naval Exercise - Shaheen Al Jazeera

On 26 December 2015 Pakistan and Royal Bahrain Navies conducted a bilateral naval exercise titled "Shaheen Al Jazeera". The exercise was aimed at enhancing the skills to counter maritime terrorism and all the other threats faced at sea. The exercise was conducted between Pakistan`s Special Services Group-Navy (SSG-N) and the Bahrain Navy special forces at Karachi.[28]

Pakistan-Bahrain joint Military Exercise - Al-Badar-1

On 3 January 2016 a joint exercise of Pakistan Special Services Group (SSG) and Bahrain National Guard Special Operation Unit (SOU) was conducted in the gulf state of Bahrain. Lieutenant General Sheikh Muhammad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Bahrain National Guard Commander, stated that the relationship between Bahrain and Pakistan has strengthened over time especially in the matters of military security, and that the relationship between the two allies has become a model relationship for allied and friendly nations.[29]

Reactions

After initial ambiguity Pakistan welcomed the initiative; its government confirmed its participation and stated that the country is waiting for further details in order to decide the extent of its participation in the different activities of the alliance.[21]

Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called it the "best response to those who are trying to associate terror and Islam".

Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein expressed support for the alliance, but ruled out any military support from Malaysia.[18]

Egypt's Al-Azhar University called the alliance's formation "historic."[30]

The new alliance has been welcomed by the United States, with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter saying, "We look forward to learning more about what Saudi Arabia has in mind in terms of this coalition. [B]ut 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 by Sunni Arab countries.[8][24]

Germany's defense minister Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the alliance against terrorism but also stressed that it should be a part of the Vienna process involving all countries fighting against IS like the U.S., Europe, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia including Iran and China.[31]

Due to the dominance of the alliance by states having majority Sunni Muslim populations, it has been called “a sectarian coalition” by Hakeem Azameli, a member of the Security and Defense Commission in the Iraqi parliament.[17][32][33]

References

  1. ↑ "Joint statement on formation of Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism". www.mofa.gov.sa. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
  2. ↑ Wam (16 December 2015). "34-nation alliance to fight terrorism". Emirates 24/7. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  3. 1 2 Marguerite Afra Sapiie (2015-12-16). "Indonesia yet to decide on Saudi-led military coalition". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  4. 1 2 Sara Rajabova (2015-12-15). "Baku considers joining Riyadh-based coalition to fight terrorism". AzerNews. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  5. 1 2 "Tajikistan, Azerbaijan to Join Islamic Coalition - ASHARQ AL-AWSAT". ASHARQ AL-AWSAT. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
  6. 1 2 "Tajikistan reportedly plans to join Muslim anti-terror coalition formed by Saudi Arabia | Tajikistan News-NA «Asia-Plus»". news.tj. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
  7. ↑ "Saudi Arabia Unveils 34-Country 'Islamic Military Alliance'". NBC News. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  8. 1 2 DeYoung, Karen (2015-12-15). "Saudi Arabia launches ‘Islamic military alliance’ to combat terrorism". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
  9. ↑ "UAE joins Muslim military alliance to fight terrorism". 7DAYS UAE. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  10. ↑ "Turkey joins Saudi-led Islamic military alliance against terrorism". TodaysZaman. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  11. ↑ "UAE joins 34-nation anti-terrorist military coalition | The National". www.thenational.ae. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  12. 1 2 3 "Islamic military alliance". Aaj News. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  13. ↑ Habib Toumi (16 December 2015). "Bahrain hails new Islamic military alliance". Gulf News. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 Oliver Miles (16 December 2015). "Is Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorist alliance real?". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  15. ↑ "Bangladesh in 34-state Islamic military alliance". thedailystar.net. Reuters Dubai. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "Saudi-based ‘Islamic military alliance’ formed to fight terror". http://nypost.com/. Associated Press. Retrieved 23 December 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  17. 1 2 3 4 Kayode Sesan (16 December 2015). "Turkey Confirms Membership of Sunni ‘Islamic Military Alliance’, Nigeria, Libya Also Members". SIGNAL. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 "'Members' surprised by Saudi anti-terror coalition plan". BBC. 2015-12-16. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  19. ↑ Baqir Sajjad Syed (2015-12-16). "Pakistan surprised by its inclusion in 34-nation military alliance". DAWN. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  20. ↑ Editorial (2015-12-18). "Pakistan Joins Saudi-Lead Anti-Terror Coalition". sputnik. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
  21. 1 2 Baqir Sajjad Syed (2015-12-16). "Pakistan confirms participation in Saudi-led anti-terror alliance". DAWN. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  22. ↑ "Saudi Arabia forms Muslim 'anti-terrorism' coalition". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
  23. ↑ "Saudis announce Islamic anti-terrorism coalition - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  24. 1 2 "Saudi Arabia announces 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism". Reuters. 2015-12-15. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  25. ↑ "Afghanistan invited to join Saudi-formed Islamic military alliance against terrorism". www.thefrontierpost.com. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  26. ↑ "Pak-Turkey joint air exercise comes to end". www.dawn.com. 2015-10-18. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
  27. ↑ "Army chief witnesses Saudi-Pak joint training exercise near Jhelum". www.dawn.com. 2015-10-30. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  28. ↑ "Pakistan-Bahrain Naval exercise 'Shaheen Al Jazeera' concludes". www.dawn.com. 2015-12-26. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
  29. ↑ "Two brothers killed, several injured in Thatta accident". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
  30. ↑ "Egypt's Azhar says Saudi decision to form Islamic military alliance 'historic'". Ahram Online. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  31. ↑ "Germany welcomes 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism". Business Insider. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  32. ↑ Serguei Doubine; Behnam Masoumi; Riad Muasses; Rita Del Prete (15 December 2015). "What do Russia and Iran think about Saudi Arabia’s coalition initiative?". euronews. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  33. ↑ "Turkey joins Sunni ‘anti-terrorist’ military coalition". Agence France-Presse. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, January 19, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.