ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Russian President Vladimir Putin is poised to launch unilateral airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria with or without the US coalition’s consent, reports say. Anonymous sources familiar with the situation reportedly told Bloomberg on Wednesday that if the US rejects Putin’s proposal to align efforts against the jihadists, Russia will carry out its own attacks. Putin’s first choice is to combine efforts with the US, the report said, and Moscow sees an opportunity to reach an agreement on fighting ISIS in Syria. In addition to joint military action against ISIS, Putin’s proposal includes a political transition away from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, according to the report. Putin is expected to discuss the proposal in New York at the United Nations General Assembly on September 28. Reports have said the visit may include talks with President Barack Obama. Russia’s recent increase in military operations in Syria has alarmed Washington. The proposal could be key to easing tensions between the two powers.
