34 countries form an Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism



Alliance will be led by Saudi Arabia



Arch-rival Iran not involved



The story



Saudi Arabia has announced the creation of a 34-state majority Islamic coalition to fight international terrorism.

A joint operations centre is being set up in the capital, Riyadh.


The justification



The Saudi government’s announcement cites “a duty to protect the Islamic nation from the evils of all terrorist groups and organisations, whatever their sect and name, which wreak death and corruption on Earth and aim to terrorise the innocent.”


The details



Reporters watching first press conference for Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh pic.twitter.com/FoWQrJkU2q— Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) December 14, 2015



Saudi Defence Minister Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told reporters the alliance will coordinate the combat against extremists.

However, few concrete det