U.S. considering range of military options to tackle Islamic State in Syria, Iraq

The U.S. is reportedly considering a range of military options to combat the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

According to the Washington Post, the Obama administration is considering seeking congressional authorization for military action against the Islamic State under a revamped counter-terrorism strategy Obama announced last year.

A senior administration official said a mandate from Congress could provide domestic legal justification for the unlimited use of force against the Sunni Muslim group across Iraq and Syria, the report said.

The official said that the "range of options" for direct use of the U.S. military includes temporary authority under the War Powers Resolution, constitutional authority for emergency action to protect U.S. citizens, and "having that discussion with Congress" about a more open-ended authorization to combat the Islamic State.

The IS militants are currently in control of large areas of territory between Damascus and Baghdad.

In 2011, Congress had formally authorized such action against al-Qaeda and its allies. While in 2002, similar action was given the official nod against Iraq during Saddam Hussein's regime.