Saudi Arabia welcomes the US designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization in three countries

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its strong support for the decision issued by the United States of America to designate the Muslim Brotherhood and its branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations. This Saudi position is consistent with the Kingdom's steadfast policy of combating terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and reinforces international efforts aimed at cutting off the intellectual and financial resources of groups that exploit religion to destabilize the region.

Historical context and a firm stance

This stance is not new to Saudi policy; the Kingdom has been proactive in taking decisive measures against the Muslim Brotherhood. In March 2014, the Saudi Ministry of Interior officially designated the group as a terrorist organization, following political and security transformations in the region, particularly after the events of 2011. Riyadh views the group as an organization no less dangerous than other armed groups, given its adoption of ideologies that seek to undermine the concept of the nation-state and transcend the political boundaries of states under religious slogans.

The importance of the decision and its regional and international impact

This Saudi welcome of the American move is of paramount importance at a time when the Middle East region is facing complex security challenges. Politically, this decision reinforces the group's international isolation and tightens the noose on its activities in the aforementioned countries (Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon). It also lends greater international legitimacy to the measures taken by the Egyptian government since 2013 to ban the group and designate it as a terrorist organization.

Internationally, this development reflects a growing convergence of views between Riyadh and Washington on the need to confront political Islamist groups accused of providing ideological cover for violent extremism. This designation is expected to have direct repercussions on the group's financial networks, as they will face stricter restrictions on banking transactions and cross-border financial transfers, thus weakening their ability to fund their activities or support their members in those countries.

Partnership in combating terrorism

This welcome underscores the depth of the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and the United States on security matters. The two countries work closely within international coalitions to combat extremist organizations. Saudi Arabia views the designation of the group's branches in these vital countries as a necessary step to protect Arab national security and prevent the exploitation of democratic climates or political vacuums in some countries to advance foreign agendas that do not serve the interests of the people.