Saudi Announced Coalition Faces Refusal, Confusion

Local Editor

Saudi Arabia announced an initiative to create a so-called "coalition against terrorism". However, its military and ideological role has been met with confusion even among members, some of whom didn't know they were included.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia announced the creation of a ‘military alliance' with a mission to fight terrorism.
The coalition members are to share intelligence, train, equip and possibly even provide forces to fight terrorists, claimed Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

"Nothing is off the table," he stated regarding the possibility of deploying boots on the ground.
A day after Riyadh announced the formation of the coalition, some of its members said that have been caught off guard and never agreed to take part in the alliance.
Pakistan, one of the coalition members announced by Saudi Arabia, has denied its participation.

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry told journalists that he got to know of the coalition through news reports, adding that Pakistan was not consulted about it, Dawn newspaper reported on Wednesday. He added that Islamabad was seeking details about the misunderstanding.

Malaysia, another Muslim country which was put by Riyadh in the list of the 34 participants, also denied taking part in the military alliance. Malaysian Defense Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein told journalists that Kuala Lumpur will not join Riyadh, however it will continue to be part of the international fight against terrorism, the Rakyat Post reported.

Indonesia, a country with the world's largest Muslim population, said that it was approached by Saudi Arabia concerning anti-terrorism cooperation, however it needs details before considering to join a ‘military alliance.'
Armanatha Nasir, Foreign Ministry spokesman said it is "important for Indonesia to first have details before deciding to support" any military actions, he said.

However, Indonesian Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said later, as quoted by Reuters: "We don't want to join a military alliance."

Iraq said it was confused by the role of the alliance in the fight against terrorism in the region.

"This makes it very confusing for us. Who will be the one leading the fight against terrorism in the region?" asked Nasser Nouri, spokesman for Iraq's defense ministry, as quoted by the Wall Street journal on Tuesday. "Will it be the larger international coalition, and if so, what will be the point of having this new alliance."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team