The United Nation Security Council has approved a robust set of sanctions targeting Islamic State’s finances, in an effort to contain the extremist group’s growing influence and global reach.
The US and Russian jointly drafted the 28-page resolution and all 15 members of the Security Council unanimously voted Thursday to endorse it.
The gathering of finance ministers at the Council, led by U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew, marked a rare show of unity among world powers often divided over how to combat terrorism and resolve the bloody conflict in Syria.
The resolution also sets the stage for Syrian peace talks on Friday at the U.N., where foreign ministers of world and regional powers, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, will gather to draft a road map to a cease-fire and transition of power.
The resolution is an expanded version of an existing sanctions framework for al Qaeda and can be used against any terrorist group associated with Islamic State.
