Russia’s Legislature Authorizes Putin to Use Military Force in Syria
The Russian parliament Wednesday granted President Vladimir V. Putin authorization to use military force in Syria, where Putin deployed warplanes and battle tanks earlier this month and has called for an international coalition to battle the Islamic State.
At a closed-door session of the Federation Council, Russia’s highest body of parliament, senators voted unanimously to pass the resolution, Russian state news agencies reported.
The Russian move will likely complicate Western policy toward both the embattled regime of Bashar al-Assad and Islamic State militants operating in Syria.
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