Saudi Arabia has formed a military alliance to combat terrorism in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt, and Afghanistan.

The coalition will comprise 34 countries including Arab, Middle Eastern, Asian and African countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan, Malaysia, and Nigeria.

"This new alliance aims to fight terrorism through all ways, means and mechanisms."

Islamic Military Alliance secretary-general Ihsan bin Saleh Tayib said: "This new alliance, which aims to fight terrorism through all ways, means and mechanisms, confirms the keenness to fight in every place and time.

"Terrorism is a serious phenomenon that has swept all over the world, and it is necessary to address it with the cooperation of all countries."

However, Saudi’s neighbouring Islamic nations such as Iran, Syria and Iraq were excluded from the alliance.

The US and the UK have welcomed the announcement of the anti-terrorism alliance.

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US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying: "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 ISIS by Sunni Arab countries."