UN Security Council approves ‘all necessary measures’ to fight ISIS in wake of Paris attacks

World leaders have united against ISIS in a United Nations Security Council resolution calling on countries to take ‘all necessary measures’ to fight ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

The Security Council unanimously agreed to the resolution, which states that the barbaric group ‘constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security’.

The resolution, which was drafted by France, condemns the ‘horrifying terrorist attacks’ in Paris a week ago which left 130 dead, as well as atrocities committed by ISIS in Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon and the downing of a Russian passenger plane over Egypt.

The UN’s text does not provide any legal basis for military action, although a coalition of nations – and Russia – are already bombing ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

The resolution states that the UN is determined ‘to combat by all means this unprecedented threat’, citing ISIS’ ‘systematic and widespread attacks’ on civilians as reasons for action.

It also cites religious and ethnic persecution by ISIS, destruction of cultural heritage sites and recruiting foreign fighters.

The measure is the 14th terrorism-related resolution adopted by the UN’s most powerful body since 1999.

Agreements are often hard to find in the Security Council, where permanent members the United States, Russia, China, the UK and France can all veto resolutions.

The resolution also condemned recent attacks by ISIS, including the Metrojet plane (wreckage pictured) which was downed over Egypt’s Sinai province

French diplomats say the resolution will provide important international political support to the anti-ISIS campaign that has been ramped up since the Paris attacks, which were the deadliest in Europe since the 2004 Madrid train bombings.

The attacks in Paris were launched by three suicide bombers outside the Stade de France where France were playing Germany in an international football match.

Another unit targeted revellers in the trendy eastern district around Canal St Martin and Voltaire.

Then three gunmen stormed into the Bataclan concert hall, where rock band Eagles of Death Metal were playing, spraying round after round of bullets at innocent fans.

At least 89 people were killed before police raided the building. Two of the attackers detonated their suicide vests and the third was shot dead.

In all, seven attackers are known to have died on the night of the bloodshed which rocked France, 10 months after the jihadist attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and Jewish supermarket.

UN Security Council resolution 2249 could lead to the UK starting bombing raids on ISIS in Syria. Currently it is only flying raids over Iraq while providing intelligence to nations, such as the US and France, who are attacking militants in Syria.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has faced pressure from his own party to start bombing raids over Syria, and lost a House of Commons vote on military action there in 2013.

In a statement after the resolution passed, Mr Cameron said: ‘The UN resolution on ISIL is an important moment. Today, the world has united against ISIL.

‘The international community has come together and has resolved to defeat this evil, which threatens people of every country and every religion.

‘The United Nations Security Council has unanimously backed action against this evil death cult in both Syria and Iraq. It has also reiterated its determination to secure a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

‘Today’s vote shows beyond doubt the breadth of international support for doing more in Syria and for decisive action to eradicate ISIL.’

The resolution also reaffirms the UN’s opposition to other terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda.

An affiliate of Al Qaeda, Al-Mourabitoun, stormed a Radisson hotel in Bamako, Mali, today, gunning down 27 people, including a US citizen, during another murderous rampage.