Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi has stated terrorism and extremism can only be eliminated through strong multilateral cooperation.
The minister made the remarks in an article written for Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF)’s weekly magazine “Addana”. In her remarks, the defence minister wished success for the four MNDF officers who departed to Saudi Arabia to take part in the operations of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC). The minister stated the departure of four MNDF officers to take part in an international counter-terrorism operation resembles the strong “zero tolerance” policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih against terrorism and violent religious extremism.
Noting terrorism and extremism pose major threats to world peace and stability, Minister Mariya said these threats cannot be eliminated by individual countries. She noted strong multilateral cooperation is vital to eliminate these threats and ensure world peace.
The team of officers that departed to Saudi Arabia include Colonel Mohamed Mukhtar, Major Mohamed Saamir, Command Seargent Major Ahmed Abdulla and Warrant Officer Grade 1 Mifthah Hussain. The team will work at the Counter Terrorism Centre of IMCTC established in Saudi Arabia for a duration of one year.
IMCTC is an intergovernmental counter-terrorist alliance of countries in the Muslim world, united around military intervention against terrorist activities. The alliance has 41 member countries.