The formation of an Islamic military coalition announced by Saudi Arabia received worldwide support yesterday. The Press Secretary for the White House Josh Earnest welcomed this new bloc which consists of 34 countries and said that all efforts to confront terrorism are required. Ernest stressed that Saudi Arabia “is undertaking an important role in combating ISIS and counteracting its ideas on the internet”. Likewise, the US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter said that “we look forward to learning more” about this coalition which appears “very much in line with something we’ve been urging for quite some time, which is greater involvement in the campaign to combat ISIS (Islamic State) by Sunni Arab countries”. A senior American official added during a closed press briefing in London attended by Asharq Al-Awsat that he welcomed the new coalition and emphasised that the war against ISIS is an ideological and intellectual war and “all efforts that seek to involve Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the fight against this delusive organisation is a fundamental step”.

In Europe, the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond said in a tweet that he welcomes “the announcement of the Islamic coalition to fight terrorism. We are fighting a common enemy across the poles of the world…we will defeat ISIS”. As for the German ambassador to Saudi Arabia Boris Ruge, he considers the formation of the new coalition a step to serve international peace and security.

In the meantime, the Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir further explained the new bloc from Paris yesterday and discussed the possibility of sending troops to Syria. He told journalists that “there are discussions between countries that are currently part of the coalition such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain to send some special forces to Syria, and these discussions are ongoing”.