The United Nations Security Council [10] on Nov. 20 unanimously adopted [11] a new resolution (PDF [12]) calling on all member states to fight to eradicate ISIS. Introduced by France in the wake of the Paris attacks [13] that claimed 129 lives, the resolution asks states to do what they can to destroy ISIS safe havens in Syria and Iraq. Characterizing ISIS as "a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security," the Security Council warned that further attacks are expected, given recent ISIS attacks in Tunisia [14], Turkey [15], over Egypt with the downing of a Russian plane [13], and in Beirut [16] and Paris. By a 15-0 vote in favor, the Security Council pledged to attack all terror organizations in the Iraq and Syria region, including Nusrah Front [17], both with physical force and by working to crack down on foreign fighters joining the cause and by blocking financing.
From Jurist [18], Nov. 21. Used with permission.
Note: The new resolution does not invoke the UN Charter's Chapter VII [19], which gives specific legal authorization for the use of force. However, France and Russia argue that military action is already justified by the right of countries to self-defense. (BBC News [20])
