The Kremlin refuses to comment on the Islamic counterterrorism coalition

It is good news that a number of Islamic nations have united their efforts against terrorism, the Russian President’s Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Dec 15.

He refused to comment on this initiative. “We are not yet informed who has joined that coalition, what coals it has and how it will act. Hypothetically speaking, it is good that nations worldwide are pooling efforts against terrorism and extremism. But in order to be able to comment on this initiative, we need to know the details,” Peskov said.

As EADaily reported earlier, the coalition has been formed by Saudi Arabia and comprises the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bahrain, Benin, Turkey, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, Djibouti, Somalia, Gabon, Guinea, Mauritania, Palestine, Comoros, Jordan, Qatar, Cote d’Ivoire, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Maldives, Senegal, Malaysia, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, Niger, Nigeria and Yemen.

According to the Saudi Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman said the new Islamic military coalition will develop mechanisms for working with other countries and international bodies to support counterterrorism efforts. “Our efforts will not be limited to only countering the Islamic State group. Currently, every Muslim country is fighting terrorism individually ... so coordinating efforts is very important," Salman said.