Germany Welcomes 34-State Islamic Military Alliance Against Terrorism

BERLIN — Germany’s defense minister said on Tuesday she welcomed Saudi Arabia’s announcement of the formation of a 34-state Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism.

Ursula von der Leyen told German broadcaster ZDF the alliance would be of help if it joined other countries fighting Islamic State (IS), adding that IS had gained strength from disagreement among various opposition parties on how to fight or who to protect.