Turkey joins 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism announced by Saudi Arabia

Turkey has joined a 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism whose formation was announced by Saudi Arabia on Dec. 14, according to a joint statement published by state news agency SPA.

"The countries here mentioned have decided on the formation of a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism, with a joint operations centre based in Riyadh to coordinate and support military operations," the statement said.

A long list of Arab countries such as Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, together with Islamic countries Malaysia, Pakistan and Gulf Arab and African states were mentioned. The list also included Turkey. 

Reiterating his government's resolve in fighting against global terror, Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu said Turkey would lend support to all initiatives against terror, noting that its participation in the 34-state Islamic military alliance against terrorism was a reflection of such resolve.

"The raising of Muslim countries' voices together against terror is the best response to those who try to associate terror with Islam. In this context, Turkey is ready to make its best contribution ? in the struggle against terror. We consider this effort by Muslim countries as a step taken in the right direction," Davuto?lu told reporters on Dec. 15 at a press conference before departing from Ankara for an official visit to Sofia.

Meanwhile, the Saudi announcement cited "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."   

Shi'ite Muslim Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia's arch rival for influence in the Arab world, was absent from the states named as...