The Islamic Alliance and the Gulf leadership discuss strengthening the fight against terrorism in Riyadh
In a move aimed at unifying regional and international efforts to confront security challenges, the Secretary-General of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, Major General Pilot Staff Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Mughaidi, received at the Coalition’s headquarters in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the Commander of the Unified Military Command of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Major General Staff Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al-Balawi, and his accompanying delegation.
This official visit comes at a crucial time, as the region witnesses intensive efforts to strengthen security and stability frameworks. The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and joint coordination between their respective organizations. During the meeting, the strategic vision of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, established at the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in December 2015, was reviewed. The coalition aims to unify the efforts of Islamic countries in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Pillars of comprehensive confrontation
The Gulf delegation was briefed on the coalition's comprehensive methodology, which extends beyond security solutions to encompass four key, fully integrated areas: the intellectual sphere, the media sphere, combating the financing of terrorism, and the military sphere. This methodology represents a unique model in international cooperation, aiming to dismantle the infrastructure of extremism at its roots, whether through refuting extremist rhetoric intellectually, cutting off funding sources, or coordinating military operations on the ground.
Integration of regional roles
This visit is of particular importance given the pivotal role played by the GCC Unified Military Command, which represents the joint defense arm of the Gulf Arab states. Experts indicate that the integration between the Islamic Military Alliance, with its broad geographical reach encompassing dozens of countries, and the GCC Command, with its specific regional focus, would create a more effective security umbrella, contributing to the exchange of intelligence and the building of national capabilities among member states.
The delegation's tour included a visit to the advanced operational mechanisms within the coalition headquarters, including training and qualification programs, and the information assessment system that utilizes the latest technologies to monitor and analyze potential terrorist threats. The delegation also received a briefing on the specialized initiatives implemented by the coalition to support member states and enhance the readiness of their security agencies.
At the conclusion of the visit, Major General Al-Mughaidi affirmed that this meeting represents a fundamental building block in the regional protection wall, stressing that strengthening the partnership with the Gulf military systems directly serves the interests of international security and peace, and fulfills the aspirations of peoples to live in a safe and stable environment, far from the threats of extremism and terrorism.
