Islamic Military Alliance

History and objectives

The IMA has stated that its primary objective is to protect Muslim countries from all terrorist groups and terrorist organizations irrespective of their sect and name. The IMA affirmed that it would operate in line with the United Nations and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) provisions on terrorism.

At the press conference to launch the IMA, Mohammad bin Salman said it would "coordinate" efforts to fight terrorism in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Afghanistan. He said, "There will be international coordination with major powers and international organisations ... in terms of operations in Syria and Iraq."

To date, all members are countries with Sunni-dominated governments. The alliance does not include any countries with Shia-dominated governments, such as Iran, Iraq and Syria. According to a Euronews report, some analysts see formation of the alliance as part of Saudi Arabian efforts to take the leading role in the Middle East and the Muslim world, in rivalry with Iran.

In March 2016 it was reported that Saudi Arabia had asked General Raheel Sharif, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, to become commander-in-chief of the Islamic Military Alliance once he had retired from the Pakistan Army at the end of 2016. In January 2017 it was reported that Sharif had set three conditions for taking the post, one of which was that Iran be included in the Islamic Military Alliance.

Members

Saudi Arabia's original announcement of the alliance on 15 December 2015 listed 34 countries as participants, each also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and forming about 60% of all OIC member states. Although included, some countries have opted not to assist militarily while others are in ongoing discussions on whether or not to join the IMA.

^α These countries have offered to provide military assistance if needed.

Prospective additional members

At the time of the original announcement, more than ten other Islamic countries, including Indonesia (the world's largest Muslim nation), had expressed their support for the alliance, and Azerbaijan was discussing joining the alliance. In January 2017 Azerbaijan said that joining was "not on the agenda". Tajikistan's ambassador to Saudi Arabia confirmed that Tajikistan is seriously studying the possibility of joining. The following countries have discussed membership, but have not joined the alliance as yet.

Commanders-in-Chief

The appointment of Raheel Sharif as Commander-in-Chief is still not clear. Pakistani newspapers reported discussion on the matter in the Pakistani senate. It is still controversial.

Military strength

Pakistan has a 620,000-strong army with 3,000 main battle tanks, an air force with 1,032 aircraft, and a navy with 63 surface ships, 101 aircraft, and 8 submarines. It has the sixth largest standing armed forces in the world as well as close military cooperation with China. Pakistan is the only member in the alliance with nuclear weapons.

Saudi Arabia has one of the best-funded defence forces in the Middle East. The kingdom spends 25% of its budget, or about $88 billion, on its military. In terms of manpower, Saudi Arabia has about 688,000 active personnel in its military, with 300,000 army troops. It also has more than 200,000 men in its national guard.

Turkey has a strong military-industrial base, producing platforms such as the Altay main battle tank, the MILGEM corvettes, the TAI/AgustaWestland T129 attack helicopter, the Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicle and the TAI TFX 5th Generation Air superiority fighter. With Turkey's participation and industrial know-how, the alliance intends to create inter-polarity and network centricity.

United Arab Emirates Union Defence Force possesses the highly advanced F-16 fighters, namely F-16 E/F Block 60. The United Arab Emirates Air Force has also been involved in a series of anti-terrorists operations in Syria.

Reactions

 Bangladesh: Bangladesh was one of the early members to join the alliance doing so on 15 December 2015. The country confirmed its membership in a joint statement by the founder nations that stated "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."

 Egypt: Egypt's Al-Azhar University called the alliance's formation "historic."

 Germany: Germany's defense minister Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the alliance against terrorism but also stressed that it should be a part of the Vienna process involving all countries fighting against IS like the U.S., Europe, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, but also including Iran and China.

 Malaysia: Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein expressed support for the alliance, but ruled out any military support from Malaysia.

 Pakistan: After initial ambiguity Pakistan welcomed the initiative; its government confirmed its participation and stated that the country is waiting for further details in order to decide the extent of its participation in the different activities of the alliance. Although the Commander in Chief of the IMAFT, Gen Raheel Sharif only agreed to command upon the condition that Iran must be the part of this Alliance

 Turkey: Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called it the "best response to those who are trying to associate terror and Islam".

 United States: The new alliance has been welcomed by the United States, with U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter saying, "We look forward to learning more about what Saudi Arabia has in mind in terms of this coalition. But in general it appears it is very much in line with something we've been urging for quite some time, which is greater involvement in the campaign to combat ISIL by Sunni Arab countries.

Criticism

Due to the dominance of the alliance by states having majority Sunni Muslim populations, it has been called "a sectarian coalition" by Hakeem Azameli, a member of the Security and Defense Commission in the Iraqi parliament.