War. War never changes. As the dark shadow of ISIS threatens to engulf the Middle East, organizations throughout the world race to prevent its ever-tightening grip. From NATO and its allies to Anonymous, the Italian Mafia and Al Qaeda itself, ISIL has made enemies throughout the world, preying on any that do not agree with their particular ideology. No one is spared from their wrath, not even those with Down’s Syndrome, the Mosul Eye (Iraqi activist group) reports. IS has already executed 38 babies and children with special needs, in accordance with a fatwa (Islamic ruling) calling for the killing of those with “deformities.” Such destructive attitudes have prompted the Italian mob to make public statements threatening the group, while hacker collective Anonymous has shut down ISIS websites and online accounts and made public knowledge several plots by the terror group to attack new locations, which has been retaliated by ISIS leaking private United States government information.
As an intense confrontation rages in cyberspace, conventional warfare against ISIS becomes more violent, as multiple nations and militia groups take part in attacks on ISIS, from airstrikes that have killed innocent civilians (Al Jazeera, The Intercept) to infantry ground combat, using the combined forces of the Middle East and the West. While Western nations are not putting conventional troops on the ground, numerous special operations forces are participating in secretive raids on ISIS, assassinating their commanders and rescuing civilians. 3,500 United States personnel are stationed in Iraq, including elite units such as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta (also known as Delta Force), one of whom, Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler, was killed while partaking in a successful Kurdish-US joint operation to save 70 to-be executed hostages (The Guardian).
In response to the potential existential threat that ISIL poses, the government of Saudi Arabia has proposed a combined force of 34 Muslim nations to cooperate in fighting ISIS. Many of these nations are already involved in fighting ISIS, and the coalition includes such countries as the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Egypt, and Palestine. Notable is the inclusion of Qatar, with whom relations have been strained, and the exclusion of Iran and Iraq. Iran in particular, with its Shiite-majority and economic/military power, has always been seen as a rival. Eritrea, Afghanistan, Oman, Algeria, and Syria have also been excluded.
A joint operations center will be set up in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The Financial Express reports that Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman, son of the king, stated that “There will be international coordination with major powers and international organisations… in terms of operations in Syria and Iraq. We can’t undertake these operations without coordinating with legitimacy in this place and the international community.”
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Palestinians, Qatar, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen are all included in this Alliance of Islam. However, only Turkey and Bangladesh have responded and accepted this call to action, while the other countries have remained silent.
The Guardian notes that the anonymous blogger on Saudi affairs, Mujtahidd, has been very critical of the proposal, stating a lack of concrete objectives and level of synergy beyond what the United States is providing.
The unfortunate exclusion of certain countries from this list also weakens the prospect and perhaps the response would have been better if the Saudi included them. The fact that the media has barely covered this topic shows that there has been little pressure on the governments of these countries. However, the idea that there should be a Muslim coalition is an incredibly positive one. It means that together, the Muslim world is making a stand against ISIS on the basis of their faith against what ISIS has perverted. There is a real chance to change perceptions of Muslims, as the countries take a stand together.
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