JEDDAH: The newly formed 34-nation alliance of Muslim nations led by Saudi Arabia would help counter claims by terrorist groups that they are fighting against foreign troops seeking to intervene in the region, according to analysts.

In addition, the alliance would assist in checking Russia’s interference in Syria, which is fueling the rise of terrorist groups, similar to what happened after the country’s invasion of Afghanistan, they were quoted as saying by a local publication on Wednesday.

Wahed Abdul Majeed, a strategic analyst, said the effectiveness of any alliance against terror groups has to be based on unity and coherence of strategic goals in terms of military action, and the simultaneous launch of education and awareness campaigns.

Abdul Majeed said that Saudi Arabia has successfully shown how to combat terror groups such as Al-Qaeda over several years with a combination of security and other methods.

He said the launch of the alliance comes at an important time to tackle the “negative and adverse effects of the senseless Russian intervention, which will lead to the expansion and spread of terrorism in the region, to the same degree as the policies of [George W.] Bush in 2003 in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Fahd Al-Shelaimi, chairman of the Gulf Forum for Peace and Security, said the announcement by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, came at the right time and showed that true Muslims are the ones fighting terrorism. He said Saudi Arabia would always enjoy the credit and recognition for establishing this Islamic alliance and enhance its status in the Arab and Muslim world.

Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, professor of political science at Emirates University, said the decision to form the alliance was politically astute, especially considering that the terrorists are using Islam as a cover for their actions.