Saudi Arabia welcomes the designation of Muslim Brotherhood branches as terrorist groups

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its strong support for the United States' decision to designate branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations. This support reflects the strategic alignment between Riyadh and Washington on combating terrorism and eliminating the sources of extremism in the Middle East.

In its official statement, the Kingdom reiterated its condemnation of all forms of extremism and terrorism, emphasizing its unwavering support for all international and regional efforts aimed at achieving the security, stability, and prosperity of Arab states and their people. The Ministry indicated that such designations are a necessary step to protect Arab and global national security from ideologies that exploit religion for political ends and undermine civil peace.

General context and historical background

This Saudi stance is neither new nor surprising; Saudi Arabia officially designated the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization in March 2014, a move followed by similar actions from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. Riyadh views the group and its regional branches as a source of instability and accuses them of working to undermine the concept of the modern nation-state in the Arab world.

The US decision comes at a time of significant geopolitical shifts in the region, as influential Arab states seek to strengthen their internal fronts against ideological currents. Saudi Arabia has consistently called on the international community to take firm stances against groups that perpetrate or incite violence under the guise of political or religious activism.

The importance of the event and its expected impact

This American classification carries extremely important political and security implications on several levels:

• At the local and regional levels, this decision represents strong support for the efforts of the governments of Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon in confronting security challenges. In Egypt, this designation strengthens the legitimacy of government measures taken against members of the group involved in acts of violence. In Jordan and Lebanon, it places additional pressure on political movements linked to the organization to reassess their positions and sever ties with any external agendas.
• On the international level, this decision reflects a growing Western and American awareness of the dangers posed by the expansion of ideologically driven organizations. This designation is expected to be followed by legal and financial measures, including asset freezes, bans on transactions, and legal action against the leaders of these organizations, thus contributing to cutting off their cross-border funding sources.

In conclusion, the Kingdom renewed its commitment to joint action with its international allies, foremost among them the United States, to confront all terrorist organizations without exception, stressing that security and stability are the cornerstone of development and prosperity in the region.