Military officials from 26 nations descended on Saudi Arabia this week for a two-day meeting to discuss joint efforts to combat the self-styled Islamic State extremist group, or Daesh, in Iraq and Syria, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
According to the Military Times, the head of the U.S. military’s Central Command, Gen. Lloyd Austin, was taking part in the meeting and earlier met with Interior Minister and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.
The influx of military leadership and brass from the 26 nations led to an uptick in diplomatic activity for the Saudi capital and its leadership.
Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef (R) and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman (L) at a meeting this week.
Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Defense and Chief of the Royal Court, met in Riyadh today with the Chiefs of Staff of Coalition Countries against Daesh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
“The Prince wished the Chiefs of Staff of sisterly and friendly countries every success in their current conference and reaching measures in the service of regional and international security” the agency said.
According to the Associated Press citing the SPA, the military chiefs meeting in Riyadh “would also discuss the civil war in Syria, where more than 220,000 people have been killed over the last four years. It is the fifth meeting of its kind for the coalition, with previous meetings taking place in Jordan, France, Germany and the U.S.”
