Plans for Arab joint intervention force

Arab League member nations have formally announced an agreement to create a joint military force – marking a new determination among Saudi Arabia, Egypt and their allies to intervene in regional hotspots

HOW JOINT FORCE WILL WORK

Proposed force composed of up to 40,000 elite troops – backed by fighter jets, warships and light armour – headquartered in Cairoor Riyadh. Full proposal to bepresented to Arab League Joint Defence Council within four months

PRECEDENT

Creation of force hasbeen longtime goalthat has eluded Arab nations in 65 years since they signed rarely-used joint defence pact. Gulf nations joined forces to help Bahrain’s Sunni monarchy quash Arab Spring protests in 2011 by its Shiite majority

DEPLOYMENT IN YEMEN

Force could take months to come together – too long for it to playmeaningful role in Yemeni crisis. However, current Saudi-led coalition conducting airstrikes against Shiite
rebels in Yemen could serve as template for future deployment

REPRESENTATION

Force may not include all 22 Arab League members as joining will likely be optional. Saudi Arabia and Egypt seen as biggest contributors. Could be deployed against radical Sunni groups likeAl Qaeda and Islamic State and to counter ambitions of Shiite Iran

Arab League members
Syria (suspended member)

Morocco
Tunisia
Algeria
Egypt
Sudan
Libya
Iraq
Saudi
Arabia
Lebanon
Palestine
Mauritania
Yemen
Kuwait
Somalia
Comoros*
Djibouti
Oman
Bahrain
Qatar
UAE
Jordan

500km
300 miles

Source: Wire agencies
*Indian Ocean island nation, not shown on map