Minister of Defense and National Security, Mariya Ahmed Didi has met with the officers of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), who are travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to join the counter-terrorism center under the ‘Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition’.

Some of the officers joining the counter-terrorism center’s work include Colonel Mohamed Mukhthar, Major Mohamed Samir, Commander Sergeant Major Ahmed Abdulla and Warrant Officer Grade One, Mifthah Hussain.

The Maldives MNDF delegation is led by Colonel Mohamed Mukhthar.

The officers are to work at the counter-terrorism center in the Kingdom’s capital, Riyadh, for a period of one year and their accommodation and other expenses are sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The ‘Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition’ was established during 2015 with an aim to counter terrorism and violent extremism.

A total of 41 nations have signed onto the coalition as participants since then. Some of the coalition’s work include taking safety measures and action against terrorism as well as violent extremism and engaging in discussions regarding the topic and other information within member nations.

It also aims to protect Muslim nations from all forms of terrorism through groups and organizations,

Operations of the coalition are in accordance with provisions on terrorism, provided by the United Nations and Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The meeting with the Maldives defense minister was joined by Vice Chief of Defense Force, Brigadier General Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, National Counter-Terrorism Center’s Director General Brigadier General Zakariyya Mansoor as well as the Deputy Director General of the Department of International Defense Cooperation and Policy, Colonel Abdul Matheen Ahmed.