IS denounces Saudi-led anti-terror coalition
Islamic State threatened to attack Saudi Arabia for "colluding with crusaders" after the oil-rich kingdom said it had established a 34-state Islamic military coalition to target the militants.
In a weekly publication documenting its military activities, the jihadist group described as "morons and fools" the 34 members of the coalition which Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said will be headquartered in Riyadh to coordinate mutual anti-terrorism assistance across the Islamic world.
"With permission from Allah, this alliance will be the beginning of the collapse of the governments of the oppressive tyrants in the lands of Islam," said an article entitled "Mohammed bin Salman's alliance of surprised allies".
Confusion over the coalition's role, even among its own members, has cast doubt on an initiative widely seen as an effort by Saudi Arabia to solidify its claim to leadership of the Sunni world against Shia Iran.
Another article criticised the participation of several Syrian rebel groups in a recent meeting in Riyadh which it said proved they were "disbelievers".
Saudi Arabia has been hit by a spate of deadly shootings and bomb attacks this year, many of them laid at the door of Islamic State.
The group is bitterly opposed to Gulf Arab rulers and is seen as trying to stir up sectarian confrontation on the Arabian peninsula to bring about the overthrow of the ruling dynasties.
It has urged young Saudi Sunnis to attack targets including Shias.
Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that 34 nations have agreed to form a new “Islamic military alliance” to fight terrorism with a joint operations centre based in the kingdom's capital, Riyadh.
The announcement, published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, said the alliance will be Saudi-led and is being established because terrorism “should be fought by all means and collaboration should be made to eliminate it.”
As the news of the new coalition emerged, it was not immediately clear what kind of military setup it would have and what its rules of engagement would involve.
The Saudi statement said Islam forbids “corruption and destruction in the world” and that terrorism constitutes “a serious violation of human dignity and rights, especially the right to life and the right to security.”
The new counterterrorism coalition includes nations such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey and Egypt as well as war-torn countries with embattled militaries such as Libya and Yemen. African nations that have suffered militant attacks such as Mali, Chad, Somalia and Nigeria are also members.
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