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Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition

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The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) is an intergovernmental counter-terrorist military alliance between 42 member states in the Muslim world, united around the war against the Islamic State and other counter-terrorist activities.[2][3] Its creation was first announced by Saudi Arabian defence minister Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, on 15 December 2015.[4][5] The alliance was to have a joint operations center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[6]

Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition
التحالف الإسلامي العسكري لمحاربة الإرهاب
FormationDecember 15, 2015; 8 years ago (2015-12-15)
TypeMilitary alliance
Legal statusActive
PurposeAnti-terrorism
HeadquartersRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
Location
Region
Muslim world
Membership
42
List
Official language
Arabic, English, French
Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition
Major General Mohammad bin Saeed Al-Moghedi
Commander of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition
General Raheel Shareef[1]
Websitewww.imctc.org/en/

When the coalition was announced there were 34 members. Additional countries joined and the number of members reached 42 when Kenya joined on 1 September 2022.[7] On 6 January 2017, the Former Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan General Raheel Sharif was named the IMCTC's first commander.[8][9] Most of its participants are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

History and objectives

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IMCTC has stated that its primary objective is to protect Muslim countries from all terrorist groups and terrorist organizations irrespective of their sect and name.[10][11][12] The IMCTC affirmed that it would operate in line with the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) provisions on terrorism.[13]

At the press conference to launch the IMCTC, Mohammad bin Salman said it would "coordinate" efforts to fight terrorism in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan. He said, "There will be international coordination with major powers and international organisations ... in terms of operations in Syria and Iraq."[14]

The alliance does not include any countries with Shia-dominated governments, such as Iran, Iraq and Syria.[15] According to a Euronews report, some analysts see formation of the alliance as part of Saudi Arabian efforts to take the leading role in the Middle East and the Muslim world, in rivalry with Iran.[16] Due to the dominance of the alliance by states having majority Sunni Muslim populations, it has been called "a sectarian coalition" by Hakeem Azameli, a member of the Security and Defense Commission in the Iraqi parliament.[17][16][15]

However, Oman, an Ibadi-dominant country has joined the alliance. Lebanon has also supported the alliance.[18] Other countries who are part of the alliance or support it that have cordial or friendly relations with Iran include Bangladesh, Kuwait, Libya, and Pakistan.[citation needed]

In March 2016, it was reported that Saudi Arabia had asked the then Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif, to become commander of the ICMTC once he had retired from the Pakistan Army at the end of 2016.[19]

Members

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Saudi Arabia's original announcement of the alliance on 15 December 2015 listed 34 countries as participants,[2] each also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and forming about 60% of all OIC member states. As of September 2022, there are 41 member countries with the joining of Kenya on 1 September 2022.

Country Membership announcement Military roleα Supporter References
  Afghanistan (Islamic Republic) — — [20]
  Bahrain Original Yes Yes [21]
  Bangladesh Original Yes Yes [6][22][23]
  Benin Original — —
  Brunei
  Burkina Faso
  Chad Original Yes Yes
  Comoros Original — —
  Côte d'Ivoire Original — —
  Djibouti Original — —
  Egypt Original Yes Yes [6]
  Gabon Original — —
  Gambia
  Guinea Original — —
  Guinea-Bissau
  Jordan Original Yes Yes [6]
  Kenya 1 September 2022 Yes Yes [24]
  Kuwait Original Yes Yes
  Lebanon Original — Yes
  Libya Original Yes Yes [17]
  Malaysia Original Yes Yes [25]
  Maldives Original Yes Yes
  Mali Original — —
  Mauritania Original Yes Yes
  Morocco Original Yes Yes
  Niger Original Yes Yes
  Nigeria Original Yes Yes [17]
  Oman 28 December 2016 Yes Yes [7][26]
  Pakistan Original Yes Yes [27][28][29]
  Palestine Original — —
  Qatar Original — —
  Saudi Arabia Original Yes Yes [30][31][14]
  Senegal Original Yes —
  Sierra Leone Original — —
  Somalia Original Yes Yes
  Sudan Original Yes Yes
  Togo Original — —
  Tunisia Original Yes Yes
  Turkey Original Yes Yes [17]
  Uganda [32]
  United Arab Emirates Original Yes Yes [32]
  Yemen (PLCTooltip Presidential Leadership Council) Original Yes Yes
^α These countries have offered to provide military assistance if needed.

Supporting nations

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The following are non-member supporting nations:[33]

  France
  United Kingdom
  United States

Prospective additional members

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At the time of the original announcement, more than ten other Islamic countries, including Indonesia (the world's largest Muslim populated nation), had expressed their support for the alliance,[2] and Azerbaijan was discussing joining the alliance.[34][35][36] In 2018, however, former deputy defense minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin remarked that Indonesia's non-alignment barred the country from joining a military alliance, adding that Vice President Jusuf Kalla had disagreed with Indonesia's accession.[37]

By January 2017, Azerbaijan said that joining was "not on the agenda".[38] Tajikistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia confirmed that Tajikistan was seriously studying the possibility of joining.[39][40]

On August 16, 2023, IMCTC's Secretary General, Maj. Gen. Al-Maghedi, pointed that the IMCTC looked forward for the United Republic of Tanzania to join IMCTC and work hand in hand with the rest of IMCTC member states in countering terrorism and violent extremism.[41]

Commanders

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Commander Nationality Start of tenure End of tenure
General Raheel Shareef     Pakistan 6 January 2017 Incumbent [42][43]

Reactions

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State
  •   Bangladesh: Bangladesh was one of the early members to join the alliance doing so on 15 December 2015. The country confirmed its membership in a joint statement by the founder nations that stated "a duty to protect the Islamic nation from the evils of all terrorist groups and organizations whatever their sect and name which wreak death and corruption on earth and aim to terrorize the innocent."[44][45][46] However Bangladesh ruled out any military support.[47]
  •   China: China has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the alliance to fighting terrorism and appreciated Saudi efforts to create alliance.[48]
  •   Egypt: Egypt's Al-Azhar University called the alliance's formation "historic."[49]
  •   Germany: Germany's defense minister Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the alliance against terrorism but also stressed that it should be a part of the Vienna process involving all countries fighting against IS like the U.S., Europe, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, but also including Iran and China.[50]
  •   Malaysia: Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein expressed support for the alliance, but ruled out any military support from Malaysia.[25]
  •   Pakistan: After initial ambiguity Pakistan welcomed the initiative; its government confirmed its participation and stated that the country is waiting for further details in order to decide the extent of its participation in the different activities of the alliance.[28]
  •   Turkey: Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu called it the "best response to those who are trying to associate terror and Islam".
  •   United States: The new alliance has been welcomed by the United States, with then U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter saying, "We look forward to learning more about what Saudi Arabia has in mind in terms of this coalition. 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.[5][14]
Other
  •   Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order: Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri the leader of the Naqshbandi Army released a statement in 2016 praising the alliance and calling on what he called Mujahideen to fight Shia militias in Iraq backed by Iran, while also saying "We consider everything that is happening in Iraq from Iran, its agents, militias, and its security apparatus, is the responsibility of the United States". He added: "If it [U.S.] did not move to save Iraq and its people from Iran's hegemony, control and occupation, and to stop bloodshed, destruction, burning and the changing demographic, then Iraqi people should resist [the occupation]."[51]

References

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  1. ^ "Military Commander". Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Joint statement on formation of Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism". Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Islamic military coalition holds first meeting in Riyadh". Gulf News. 27 March 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Saudi Arabia Unveils 34-Country 'Islamic Military Alliance'". NBC News. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  5. ^ a b DeYoung, Karen (2015-12-15). "Saudi Arabia launches 'Islamic military alliance' to combat terrorism". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
  6. ^ a b c d Oliver Miles (16 December 2015). "Is Saudi Arabia's anti-terrorist alliance real?". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  7. ^ a b Cafiero, Giorgio (5 January 2017). "Why did Oman join Saudi Arabia's anti-terrorism alliance?". Al Monitor. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Defence minister confirms Raheel Sharif's appointment to Islamic military alliance". Geo News. January 6, 2017. Archived from the original on Nov 29, 2023.
  9. ^ PTI (8 Jan 2017). "Pak's Raheel Sharif appointed chief of Saudi-led military coalition". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  10. ^ "UAE joins Muslim military alliance to fight terrorism". 7DAYS UAE. December 15, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  11. ^ "Turkey joins Saudi-led Islamic military alliance against terrorism". TodaysZaman. December 15, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-12-19. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  12. ^ "UAE joins 34-nation anti-terrorist military coalition". The National. 15 December 2015. Archived from the original on Dec 22, 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  13. ^ Naseer, Effat (December 22, 2015). "Islamic military alliance". Aaj News. Archived from the original on 2017-12-24. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
  14. ^ a b c Browning, Noah; Irish, John (2015-12-15). "Saudi Arabia announces 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism". Reuters. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  15. ^ a b "Turkey joins Sunni 'anti-terrorist' military coalition". Hürriyet Daily News. Agence France-Presse. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  16. ^ a b Serguei Doubine; Behnam Masoumi; Riad Muasses; Rita Del Prete (15 December 2015). "What do Russia and Iran think about Saudi Arabia's coalition initiative?". euronews. Archived from the original on 17 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  17. ^ a b c d Kayode Sesan (16 December 2015). "Turkey Confirms Membership of Sunni 'Islamic Military Alliance', Nigeria, Libya Also Members". SIGNAL. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  18. ^ "Islamic anti-terror coalition chief receives Lebanese Army commander". Arab News. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2019-09-10.
  19. ^ Zain, Ali (10 March 2016). "Saudi Arabia 'wants' Gen Raheel Sharif to command 34-nation Saudi alliance". Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  20. ^ Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition. "Member Countries". Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  21. ^ Habib Toumi (16 December 2015). "Bahrain hails new Islamic military alliance". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  22. ^ "Bangladesh in 34-state Islamic military alliance". thedailystar.net. Reuters Dubai. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  23. ^ "Saudi-based 'Islamic military alliance' formed to fight terror". New York Post. Associated Press. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  24. ^ "Kenya joins Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition". September 2022.
  25. ^ a b "Malaysia's Role in Saudi Arabia's Islamic Military Alliance". 2017-03-13. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  26. ^ "Oman joins Saudi-led Islamic alliance: Gulf sources". Reuters. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  27. ^ Baqir Sajjad Syed (2015-12-16). "Pakistan surprised by its inclusion in 34-nation military alliance". DAWN. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  28. ^ a b Baqir Sajjad Syed (2015-12-16). "Pakistan confirms participation in Saudi-led anti-terror alliance". DAWN. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  29. ^ Bokhari, Farhan (2016-03-09). "Pakistan's Sharif visits Saudi Arabia amid debate over military ties". Financial Times. ISSN 0307-1766. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  30. ^ "Saudi Arabia forms Muslim 'anti-terrorism' coalition". Al Jazeera. 15 Dec 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
  31. ^ "Saudis announce Islamic anti-terrorism coalition". BBC News. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
  32. ^ a b "Member Countries". The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. Archived from the original on Jan 16, 2021.
  33. ^ Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition. "Supporting Nations". Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  34. ^ Wam (16 December 2015). "34-nation alliance to fight terrorism". Emirates 24/7. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  35. ^ Marguerite Afra Sapiie (2015-12-16). "Indonesia yet to decide on Saudi-led military coalition". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  36. ^ Sara Rajabova (2015-12-15). "Baku considers joining Riyadh-based coalition to fight terrorism". AzerNews. Archived from the original on 2015-12-18. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  37. ^ Priyanto, Teguh (19 December 2018). Assegaf, Fardah (ed.). "Indonesia to not join IMCTC but shares similar spirit". Antara News. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  38. ^ "Azerbaijan says joining Islamic Military Alliance not on its foreign policy agenda". Azeri-Press Agency. 9 January 2017. Archived from the original on 12 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  39. ^ Youssef, Fatah Al-Rahman (21 December 2015). "Tajikistan, Azerbaijan to Join Islamic Coalition". Asharq Al-Awsat. Archived from the original on 2015-12-24. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
  40. ^ "Tajikistan reportedly plans to join Muslim anti-terror coalition formed by Saudi Arabia". Asia-Plus. Archived from the original on 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
  41. ^ "IMCTC receives the Ambassdor of the United Republic of Tanzania". Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. 16 August 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  42. ^ "Raheel Sharif appointed chief of Islamic military alliance, confirms Khawaja Asif". Dawn. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  43. ^ Salman Masood; Ben Hubbard (2 April 2017). "Pakistan Approves Military Hero to Head Tricky Saudi-Led Alliance: Report". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  44. ^ "Bangladesh in 34-state Islamic military alliance". 15 December 2015.
  45. ^ "Bangladesh joins Saudi-backed anti-IS alliance". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 2017-01-18. Retrieved 2017-01-17.
  46. ^ "Bangladesh joins Saudi-led 'Islamic military alliance'".
  47. ^ Nizam Ahmed (13 January 2016). "Bangladesh takes up new challenge in Islamic military alliance". The Daily Observer.
  48. ^ "China backs Islamic Military Alliance to fight terrorism". Arab News. 2017-06-22. Retrieved 2015-12-19.
  49. ^ "Egypt's Azhar says Saudi decision to form Islamic military alliance 'historic'". Ahram Online. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  50. ^ "Germany welcomes 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism". Business Insider. Retrieved 2016-01-05.
  51. ^ "Saddam's top aide appears, criticizes US on Iran". 7 April 2016.
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