The 15-member UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a binding resolution aimed at stemming the flow of foreign Islamist militants to Iraq and Syria.
The U.S.-drafted resolution was adopted during a September 24 session chaired by U.S. President Barack Obama.
The resolution, which Obama described as “historic,” compels all states to make it a serious criminal offense for their citizens to travel abroad to fight with militant groups, or to recruit and fund others to do so.
Thousands of fighters from dozens of countries have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight with extremist groups such as the Islamic State (IS) and the Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria.
Addressing the UN General Assembly earlier on September 24, Obama called on the world to help destroy the IS militants' "network of death."
Meanwhile, the Dutch government says Netherlands will contribute six F-16 jets to support the fight against IS militants in Iraq.
Speaking on September 24 after an emergency cabinet meeting in The Hague, Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher announced the deployment of 250 pilots and support staff.
Some 130 additional personnel will also be sent to the region to provide training and advice to Iraqi and Kurdish military forces for a period of up to one year.
On September 26, Britain’s parliament is to hold an extraordinary session to debate and vote on joining the coalition against the IS group in Iraq.
Prime Minister David Cameron made the announcement on September 24 after talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
U.S. President Barack Obama also met Abadi at the UN and hailed the "political vision" of the Iraqi Prime Minister.
Speaking at the talks, Obama said Abadi has "reached out systematically to all the peoples of Iraq" since he took office this month.
Abadi called on Iraq's partners to quickly equip and arm his country's armed forces, which are battling the IS extremist group.
He also thanked U.S. and allied forces for respecting Iraq's territorial integrity while conducting military operations against IS fighters in his country.