. >> the russian parliament votes to allow military deployment in syria, paving the way for air strikes. you're watching al jazeera, live from doha. also ahead. afghan forces send reinforcements to retake kond us, the first major city captured by the taliban since 2001 the u.n. high commissioner on refugees speaks to al jazeera on why europe needs to take in more refugees plus, warnings that a new wave of unrest in central

african republic could plunge the country into further chaos. first, russia's upper house of parliament has approved the use of military force abroad after syrian president bashar al-assad asked for help. russia has been building up military presence. the involvement is limited to air strikes. peter sharp has more from moscow. >> reporter: the decision to authorise use of russian jets, vladimir putin saying he was considering the strikes, 40 and 60 aircraft are being deployed to the bashar al-assad air base near latakia. and they'll be joined by two battalions of support troops,

1600 men, who will secure the region and the base from i.s.i.l. attack. vladimir putin's press secretary said basically that the targets would solely be i.s.i.l. fighters. and the attacks themselves will be coordinated by an intelligence committee that's been set up in baghdad, drawing on intelligence specialists in syria, iran, and, of course, in russia, and at the same time a large detachment, deployment from the black sea fleet is on its way to waters off syria to carry out a week of live fire tests in the area. the russians warned away civilian airplanes, and n.a.t.o. is concerned that, of course, this is more armed vessels coming into a highly militarized situation that could destabilize

more the middle east. >> let's speak to pavel, a defense analyst and a columnist with the russian newspaper. he joins us via skype from moscow. thank you for speaking to us. the kremlin says the involvement in syria will be limited to air strikes, but what is the target. who are they targetting. is it i.s.i.l. or the bashar al-assad forces, or both? >> well, we are saying that we are going to hit terrorists. >> who are the terrorists? >> well, in the recent view, vladimir putin says he doesn't know about the decision, and the role of terrorists. but it could be approach also the - bashar al-assad opposition forces too, especially would be easy to attack, at least idea logically the al nusra front, since it's affiliated with al

qaeda, and the opposition is more of a direct threat to the bashar al-assad regime, forcing us than i.s.i.s. >> to clarify. they'll target bashar al-assad forces and i.s.i.l. if there are going to be air strikes against i.s.i.l., will russia coordinate with the u.s. and the coalition partners who have been lunching air strikes against i.s.i.l. >> yes, the fact that there'll be coordination not to bump each other in the skies. russia could concentrate in the palmyra region where i.s.i.s. forces are actually standing against bashar al-assad people. that would be most likely where we'll con sen trait. and be a separation of nations,

americans more concentrating on iraq and russia more on syria. >> again, the russians are saying that for now they are focussing on air strikes only. help us understand what the end game is for russia in syria right now. is it keeping bashar al-assad in power? >> yes, that's the main objective. and, of course, the russians have deployed about - a kind of mixed force air force reg. with other supporting groups, and the aircraft missiles, if there's a problem, with the americans or other air forces that may attack the russian base, and with a tactical battalion group with armour and guns. they are in a position to defend the base. we have a problem with the bombing of syria from inside syria, we don't have aircraft

barriers or bases outside the country. >> if their position is to defend and keep bashar al-assad in power, is russia then prepared, perhaps not now, because they are talking about air strikes for the moment. will they fend ground troops to make sure that bashar al-assad stays in power? >> apparently that is the question right now. >> do you see that happening in the long run? >> no, i don't really think that is possible. special forces operations on the ground in syria are possible, and we have helicopters there, including transport helicopters. but then the major deployment screens - it would be a logistic nightmare and it would not be popular at all with the russian public. the russian public has an air campaign with low losses since the opposition does not have much anti-aircraft capability, the campaign with losses is

likely not popular in russia, and likely moscow will try not to get involved in that. >> tell us about the public opinion in all of this. of course, russia is involved in ukraine, now, they are talking about involvement. i mean, air strikes in syria. how do russians feel about this, and, also, you have - your country is involved in two fronts, is this a bit of a stretch. will they be able to carry out two wars at the same time? >> well, right now there's a ceasefire holding in doesn't bass. and motorcycscow will hold to t year, and the russian deployment. it's miniscule deployment and the fighting in the last year and a half in dunbar, the russian air force was not involved. in syria it will be primarily the air force, so, yes, we can do that at the same time.

we'll try not to get them involved into france, but since these are small forces and air forces, for the time being we could tolerate a deployment in ukraine and syria. >> thank you very much for the insight. patty is a defense analyst joining us via skype from moscow. thank you israel's defensive minister ruled out coordination with russia over operations with syria, after the russian president expressed concern over israeli air strikes in the syrian territory and called for discussions on the matter. >> translation: israel is a regional power, in a sense, situated in the reason, and we should respect the interests of the state of israel, israel is not indifferent to what is happening in this country. there are some questions causing certain concerns about air strikes at syrian territories. all this is a subject by the

experts, and will continue on a bilateral basis without creating structures. >> while world leaders bat out plans to tackle the war in syria and put an end to the global threat of i.s.i.l., refugees continue to arrive in europe in their thousands. 19 countries pledged to donate millions. germany organized an initiative to accept thousands of refugees and asylum seekers from syria. the donors include members of the g seven groups of industrialized nations, other european countries and gulf states. >> it's day three at the u.n. general assembly, and in a few hours the palestinian flag will be raised for the first time. let's bring in our diplomatic editor. tell us about what is going to happen at the u.n. a very busy day at the united nations on some of the big stories that we

are already covering. the first event will be the u.n. security council, and i think that is going to be important because the current president is russia, and they are chairing a meeting on i.s.i.l., in some ways, it's a meeting to the one that took place 24 hours ago, organized by the u.s. both have different approaches to dealing with i.s.i.l., because russia wants to involve the government of president bashar al-assad, and all the international committee, including bashar al-assad to fight i.s.i.l. later in the day we get an important speech from the palestinian president mahmoud abbas, he'll address the general assembly, looking and talking about the violence that's been taking place in the old city of jerusalem. he has said in the past week or so that at the end of the speech he'll be dropping a bombshell. no one clear what that will be, but we do know that after his speech, he's expected to move to the garden of the united nations

for an important event. for the first time the palestinian flag will be flown at the united nations, following a ruling a couple of weeks ago by the u.n. general assembly saying that nonmember state, those that are observers here are going to be allowed to fly the flag. that is the palestinians and the holy seer. those important events, and we have a special meeting convened by ban ki-moon on the issue. relating to syria, and they are a large number of refugees, making their way to europe. i've been speaking to the high commissioner for refugees. he's in the final stages of his job, standing down in that particular role, and he told me that he's been talking about everything that refugees for 4.5 years in syria, and it's sad that the world is only now taking notice now that they are

on europe's doorstep. >> it is necessary for the refugees to come to europe. either new york and everyone talks about the problem. it will be difficult to introduce it. >> it seems to me seldom has there been a crisis that needed urgent comprehensive action, and yet does to not give you disdivision among the european leaders. the problem is a serious problem. we are talking about people, that came to europe by sea since the beginning of the year. the population is 508 million. they are talking one for each

thousands. because lebanon, there is one for each three or four lebanese. >> these are a problem that is manageable provided that it is managed. that all european states get together. and they find an eloquent response to it. >> the outgoing high commissioner for refugees. antonio talking to me. that taking place a few hours from now, a couple of hours from now. the important security council meeting and the flag raising, a busy day at the united nations. we'll cover it all. >> thank you. live at the european headquarters in new york. >> now, n.a.t.o.'s special forces joined the counter attack gains the taliban. n.a.t.o. is helping the afghan army regaining control of kunduz. part of the city seized by the taliban fighters. pressure is mounting on the

president over the handling of the attack. lawmakers called on ashraf ghani to resign. the parliamentarians criticized the response to the attack as shameful. >> we don't want to hear lies. the the government says they are sending troops, it's almost 72 hours of people in the city suffering from food, water and electricity. children and women are dying because of hunger. >> monday's attack on sunday us was the biggest -- kunduz was the biggest victory in war. >> reporter: there's no government troops left here, taliban fighters are in control of kunduz city. here they are symbolically raising their flag in the city square. >> the battle is not over. the afghan government has announced a major military operation to recapture kunduz. >> in the first place we should

take care of the civilian casualties. the enemy conceded heavy damages. including air strikes and operation. i don't want to go into the detail of the operations. >> special forces have been brought in. the u.s. military will strike on the outskirts of the city. on tuesday morning. this has proven difficulty for forces to reach the area because the taliban set up booby traps along the way. as part of the takeover taliban gunmen broke over the prison. releasing inmates. most of them former taliban fighters. commanders issued a statement telling residents not to worry. it will be difficult with a major operation under way. it's a significant territorial gain that fighters made since 2001, when the government was deposed by the u.n. led invasion. it coincides with ashraf ghani's first anniversary as president. and the first year afghan forces are facing the taliban alone.

after u.s. and n.a.t.o. troops pulled out last year. >> a counterterrorism operation remains, but the recent news is the boldest in a long campaign by the taliban to take more control of the country, a strong message to whoever is watching that 14 years after being deposed and battling forces, the taliban can take control of a major city in less than 24 hours. al jazeera's correspondent is travelling with the afghan army and joins us live. bring us up to date with what you know is happening on the front line. >> it seems like the taliban are trying to spread the war along the north. they are, in the past few minutes, are panicking. he receive reports that there'll be a big attack on them. they couldn't go further and

being here, they say is not going to be safe for them. people are leaving the city, going to the north side of the province, taliban are announcing in the loud speaker to continue their lives and cop cooperate with them. bury their bodies and other help if they can. >> taliban are going door to door, house to house searching for them to join them. they are forcing feem to join them in a fight against the government. >> thank you for that update. live in baghdad. a court in india sentenced five people to death for planting bombs on mumbai's local trains in 2006, 189 were killed in the attack. several hundred have been sentenced to life in prison. more ahead on aljazeera.com,

including separated by their adoptive parents. why they say children in the democratic republic of congo are not allowed to go home.

>> al jazeera america, weekday mornings. catch up on what happened overnight with a full morning brief. get a first hand look with in-depth reports and investigations. start weekday mornings with al jazeera america. open your eyes to a world in motion. welcome back. the top stories on al jazeera. russia's upper house of parliament approved the use of military force after syrian president bashar al-assad asked for help. moscow has been building up the military presence, the involvement will be limited to sir tricks. n.a.t.o.'s special forces joined a counter attack against the

taliban in northern afghanistan. the troops are helping the afghan army to gain control of kunduz, parts of which were seized by the taliban fighters. a court in india sentenced five people to death for planting bombs on local trains in 2006. 189 were killed in the attack. several others minutes are sentence said to life in prison. >> 37 people have been killed in gun battles over the last few days. the u.n. human rights chief says it could prove catastrophic for the country. let's look at what started this conflict. in 2012, a collisionful muslim armed groups took over towns in the north and central regions. in 2003. the president was overthrown by

rebels. it parked clashes. a u.n. peacekeeping force of 13,000 soldiers has been struggling to kerbing the violence, forcing 400,000 from their homes, coming weeks ahead of elections. the u.n. is not welcome. residents putting up road glacks. and u.n. troops taking them town. the population is straight and cunt believe in the forces any more. we want the departure of international forces. they do nothing, we want those that committed crime to be tracked down by the justice system. a spokesman told al jazeera that they could do more, but they are fully engaged. the spokesman said they are working with community leaders

to put an end to violence. over the weekend a taxi yip driver was killed. setting up days of violence, leaving 40 dead, scored injured. 500 prisoners escaped from the main gaol. as bad as things are in bangui it pails in comparison. hundreds, if not thousands are killed. we are scratching the surface. we are travelling out in the bush and we are coming across villages in which civilians are killed, homes burnt and stuff is not documented. >> on monday, protesters marched to the presidential palace and demand the interim president resign and the central african republic berearmed and diploid. >> the u.n. backed country accused former president and his allies of trying to take her

power away. when rebels took over the government, they assassinated demack racy and the country is reel fromming the consequences. >> let's speak to the deputy head of the u.n. coordinator. thank you very much for speaking to al jazeera. tell us about the situation today in the central african republic. there have been days of violence, of course, several people killed. is it calmer now. >> it is calm, there is so-called leaders of group. but i must say that is it

escalated further. entire between the different armed groups, and the forces in the various parts of this. we are trying to control the situation. >> want the population. in the capital, for instance, in bangui, how are they coping with the surge of violence. >> i must say that the city looks in areas like across the city, you know. the population is other areas still looking at some of the activities. because this many markets are closed. many shuts are closed. we cannot see it is a city. i must say that the population is in a state of shock. you have a minor city of people.

we heard the previous element. it was saying that they want the departure. through the market it's a minority. it is pushing the youth in the city. demonstrations, for nothing. the population is in fear. many of the people have little faith. there have been scandals. sex abuse scandals. what are you going to restore confidence between your mission and the population to make them feel safe, that you are able to protect them? i must tell you you talk to some people that are saying they don't trust it. i'm living here, and i'm meeting the two type of people.

and the majority, what i call the majority is supportive of u.n. if i can tell you the numbers of people asking for support, people from the opposition to assist and support them. i think we'll need to moderate it. what we are trying to do is make sure that we, no matter what is happening, that we deliver and protect the civilians, to make sure that some corrupted leader and not try to take the country again. what we are trying to do is peace one is captured. i did, in many part of the country, when it started, wonder when i or these are redisplaced. when you went to the provinces,

it was the situation. >> thank you for taking the time to speak to us, deputy head of the u.n. mission in central african republic in democratic republic of congo thousands of children have been forced to stay in orphanages for two years. the government says it's because of concerns about child abuse. >> reporter: there is no electricity, something this 7-year-old hopes she will not experience in france. she was adopted. her new parents are not yet allowed to take her out from the democratic republic of congo. >> my father died. i don't know where my mother is. i think i will life in a house, go to a good school and have enough food to eat. >> it's disappointed that hundreds of congolese children who have been illegally adopted are stuck in organizations like this.

that's because the government refuses to let them go. . >> i have a case ever parents that do not have children in their family. they need to adopt them let their family in a good position. some parents are helping children. children who have not parents. people who - children whose parents have disappeared. >> cases of child abuse and trafficking forced them to tighten the roles for international adoption. they say they will not allow gay couples to adopt. >> it was getting out of hand. some people saw it as getting out of hand. some were sold for sex and child labour. >> reporter: many children lost parents to h.i.v. and aids. poverty is another problem. many people can't find work, many parents struggle to make ends meet and a lot of children are there on their own.

>> she has only seen photos of the adopted parents. her travel to france has been delayed indefinitely. it's not clear how long they will have to wait more news on the website aljazeera.com. the palestinian leader is about to speak before the united nations. abbas promises a bombshell announcement. for the first time in 70 years, the state of georgia has executed a woman. an oklahoma inmate is scheduled to die later today. troops are in the ground in a strategic afghan city. their mission in the battle for kunduz.