The United States and its allies started a military campaign against “Islamic State” (Daesh) in Syria this week. President Obama vowed to build a coalition to “eventually destroy” the terrorist group.

However, the United States did not bother to seek the United Nations’ approval for the military operation.

On the first night of U.S. bombing the Raqqa, the de facto capital of Daesh, the Saudi air force participated in the operations.

Saudi Arabia, a suspected financier of terror groups across the Middle East, does not have the moral or political legitimacy to be in a coalition to fight terrorism. Fundamentalist Saudi clerics fill the airwaves of Arabic satellite television with hateful, sectarian speech that contributes to the rise of extremism and recruitment of terrorists.

The absolute monarchy’s interpretation and enforcement of Sharia law are similar to the draconian laws imposed by Daesh on the people of eastern Syria and northern Iraq. Beheading, severing hands, stoning, strict gender segregation and religious intolerance are all practiced in Saudi Arabia and Daesh’s “state.”

Daesh did not grow out of nowhere. Its fighters, who come from all corners of the earth, had to cross into Syria somehow. Numerous reports indicate that foreign militants arrive to Syria via Turkey, which was present at the international meeting against Daesh in Jeddah last week. 

Daesh had to acquire money and weapons somehow. Documentation indicates Kuwaiti donors have funded Daesh, while foes of the Syrian regime have openly armed various militant groups in Syria; Daesh could be among them. 

How can the United States government be serious about destroying the terrorist organization when Daesh’s funders, backers and sympathizers are fighting alongside American forces.

The U.S.-led strikes in Syria are a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty. The coalition did not ask for Syria’s permission before bombing its soil. 

However, in a sign of the growing humiliation that’s engulfing the Arab world, the Syrian government does not seem to oppose the strikes.

On Wednesday, a Syrian minister said the foreign military intervention in his country is going in the “right direction” because the air strikes are avoiding Syrian troops and civilians. 

But history is always relevant. Yemen and Somalia have taught us that U.S. aerial campaigns against religious extremists usually have no direction.