Saudi Arabia has formed a coalition of 34 mainly Muslim countries - including powers such as Egypt and Turkey - to coordinate a fight against "terrorist organisations".


Inside Story: The threat of ISIL in Saudi Arabia
The alliance was announced by Mohammed bin Salman, the country's defence minister and deputy crown prince, on Tuesday.

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

"It is time that the Islamic world take a stand, and they have done that by creating a coalition to push back and confront the terrorists and those who promote their violent ideologies," said Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi's foreign minister, speaking in Paris.

When asked if the alliance would deploy troops on the ground, Jubeir said "nothing is off the table".

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 of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

Bin Salman said the states would work together to target "any terrorist organisation, not just ISIL" 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, which would host a "joint operations centre to coordinate" efforts.

ISIL threat
The United States welcomed the announcement of the anti-terrorism alliance.

"We look forward to learning more about what Saudi Arabia has in mind in terms of this coalition," Defence Secretary Ashton Carter told journalists in Turkey.

"But 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."

Turkey said it was set to assist any time, anywhere.


"Turkey is ready to contribute by all its means to all gatherings that aim to fight terrorism, no matter where or by whom they are organised," Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters in Ankara.

Most of the countries in the coalition are currently involved in military operations against ISIL or have been targeted by the group.

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies have carried out air strikes against the fighters in Syria and were targeted by the group in Yemen, where they are involved in a separate war against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

In August, an ISIL suicide bomber killed 15 people, mainly special forces soldiers, at a mosque in Asir province, bordering Yemen.

ISIL has also targeted Saudi Arabia's Shia minority, killing dozens in bomb attacks on mosques.

Saudi authorities have carried out raids detaining hundreds of suspected ISIL members and sympathisers in response.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/saudi-arabia-forms-muslim-anti-terrorism-coalition-151215035914865.html

Lolz

.

ALLA AKU BA.

K

Okwa unu afugo npari(igbo language).
Arifin nla re o (yoruba language).
We don buy market... I tell u.

Its never gonna happen...we don't want the Saudis n their likes in Nigeria...If Buhari agrees to any of this,he better be ruling himself n his Family.... Nigeria might be in the OIC or what so ever but Nigeria is not an Islamic state.

If Nigeria ever breaks, it wont be because of tribal issue, it will be religion

Rubbish

Dem fada ! Make dem com steal am nah

when did Nigeria became and Islamic state,
Saudis should count us out of their jihad wtf

when did Nigeria become and Islamic state.
Saudis should count us out of their jihad

hmm. We got signed or warreva into the OIC right? Guess dat makes us an IS and therefore, a part of this joint coalition.

people can shout all dey want, it won't change nathing...

I dont blame this rag heads one bit.


They have sat quietly and watched how little girls and boys in the North are blowing themselves up and concluded that,they can best serve their interest in any part of the world as foot soldiers.


The old go and die for my interest old foot soldier.


Since when is Nigeria mainly muslim country? We never finish boko haram, it is to go and help Syria.


We dey watch Buhari closely on this.

Where APC supporters dey? Una see why e bad to get Muslim President ba?
some persons would just be interested in them selves an their pocket. I hope you are happy now.
If u out how abroad the stigma will be higher than before because you have three enviable credentials.
You are a black man... third class citizen.
you are from Nigeria..... A criminal
You are a Muslim.... a terrorist.
we have been battle two since year immemorial and APC now gave us a third title.
enjoy your new status

keep calm, that Saudi listed Nigeria as a Muslim state doesn't mean Nigeria is a Muslim state. Nigeria has a significant Muslim population which is difficult to ignore and are currently fighting terrorism, that's why Nigeria was added, nothing more.

Hmm mm this one is serious . Nigeria is not a muslim state ohhh

**grins** Why was nearby Cameroun, who are also fighting Boko not listed among the muslim countries. Pro-nigeria Christians and Easterners, We Biafrans laugh at you. **grins**

We don't belong there. Saudi Arabia should stop that rubbish

Vicadonis:
We don't belong there. Saudi Arabia should stop that rubbish

If the Vatican had listed Nigeria among its christian nations, would you reject it as "rubbish" and say "Nigeria doesn't belong there"? Thought not. The problem many of you have is selfishness and a refusal to share and love. Yet you call yourself religious.

Rossikk:
If the Vatican had listed Nigeria among its christian nations, would you reject it as "rubbish" and say "Nigeria doesn't belong there"? Thought not. The problem many of you have is selfishness and a refusal to share and love. Yet you call yourself religious.

Like seriously? Have you ever seen any Christian or even the pope call any nation a Christian nation. The same pope that visited a mosque in C.A.R two weeks ago to speak with them. We aren't extremists like you guys. Take that to the bank.
Am actually done with you.

Rossikk:
If the Vatican had listed Nigeria among its christian nations, would you reject it as "rubbish" and say "Nigeria doesn't belong there"? Thought not. The problem many of you have is selfishness and a refusal to share and love. Yet you call yourself religious.

trash....this country called Nigeria is bullcrap...why do they have to include Nigeria when we have countries like senegal,niger,mali and cameroon...Nigeria is not a islam or christian country