Saudi Arabia Forms “Islamic” Military Alliance

“Saudi Arabia said Tuesday that 34 nations have agreed to form a new ‘Islamic military alliance’ to fight terrorism with a joint operations center based in the kingdom’s capital, Riyadh… The new counterterrorism coalition includes nations with large and established armies such as Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt as well as war-torn countries with embattled militaries such as Libya and Yemen. African nations that have suffered terrorist attacks such as Mali, Chad, Somalia and Nigeria are also members… Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and 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. He said their efforts would not be limited to only countering the Islamic State group… He said the joint operations center will be established in Riyadh to ‘coordinate and support military operations to fight terrorism’ across the Muslim world” (The Associated Press, December 15, 2015).

While this new Islamic alliance is drawing praise from Western leaders who have urged Middle Eastern nations to take the lead in battling terrorism, Bible prophecies have long foretold the emergence of an end-time coalition of some Middle Eastern nations in league with Assyria (Psalm 83:5-8). End time prophecies also show a “king of the south” in conflict with a European superpower referred to as the “king of the north” (Daniel 11:40-43). This new Islamic alliance could set the stage for events described in these prophecies.

For more information about Bible prophecies and future world events, read our booklet “The Middle East in Prophecy.”