Islamic Military Alliance: Strengthening International Law in the Fight Against Terrorism
The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition continues to strengthen its institutional structure and consolidate its strategic approach, which is based on a careful balance between national security requirements and the imperatives of combating extremism, on the one hand, and strict adherence to the principles of international humanitarian law, on the other. This is achieved through intensified training programs and workshops aimed at raising legal awareness and building specialized capacities among relevant personnel in member states, thus ensuring that security operations are consistent with internationally recognized humanitarian and legal standards.
Context of establishment and ongoing efforts
These steps complement the efforts of the coalition announced in December 2015, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and headquartered in Riyadh, with the aim of unifying the efforts of Islamic countries in confronting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Since its inception, the coalition's role has not been limited to the military aspect alone, but has adopted a comprehensive strategy operating across four main areas: intellectual, media, combating the financing of terrorism, and the military sphere, in order to ensure addressing the root causes of terrorism and drying up its sources.
International law as a pillar of legitimacy
In this context, the specialized scientific program on "International Humanitarian Law and its Relationship to Combating Terrorism," recently held by the Alliance, provided an advanced knowledge platform for exchanging perspectives and experiences. The program highlighted the legal frameworks governing the use of force and the legal responsibilities arising from international crimes related to terrorism. The Alliance emphasized that compliance with international humanitarian law is not merely a legal obligation, but a fundamental element for the success of counterterrorism efforts; it guarantees the protection of civilians in conflict zones and enhances the legitimacy of military and security operations in the eyes of the international community.
Strategic importance and value dimensions
These efforts are of paramount importance at present, as nations face complex security challenges that demand intelligent approaches to maintaining security without compromising human rights. Scholarly discussions have highlighted the importance of the ethical and cultural dimension, citing the inherent legal principles and humanitarian values within Islamic culture that prohibit treachery and aggression against innocent people. This contributes to building balanced approaches to combating terrorism that are based on preserving life and upholding human dignity.
The leading role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
This approach reflects the leading role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the host country, in supporting international initiatives aimed at strengthening international peace and security. Through the Alliance, the Kingdom works to support member states with specialized legal expertise and enhance their capacity to address contemporary security challenges within established legal and humanitarian frameworks, thereby bolstering public confidence in the policies and procedures adopted to counter terrorist threats.
The scientific training program, which was implemented in cooperation with the Standing Committee on International Humanitarian Law, concluded with a number of in-depth sessions and discussions that focused on the practical understanding of legal principles, highlighting the role of law as a framework that balances the requirements of security and the protection of civilians, and contributes to expanding the horizons of legal dialogue between representatives of member states to exchange best practices and experiences.
