US condemns IS attacks on Christians in Syria

Washington, Feb 26: The US has strongly condemned that Islamic State's attacks on Assyrian Christian villages in northeastern Syria and asserted that it will continue to lead the fight to degrade and ultimately defeat the dreaded terrorist outfit.

"The United States strongly condemns IS's recent attacks on Assyrian Christian villages in northeastern Syria, including the burning of homes and churches, the displacement of thousands, and the abduction of a large number of Syrian Christian civilians, among them women, children, and the elderly," said Bernadette Meehan, Spokesperson of National Security Council at the White House on Wednesday.

"Along with our coalition partners, and on behalf of all those persecuted by this terrorist organisation, the United States will continue to lead the fight to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL," she said.

Meehan alleged that along with the targeting of minority and religious groups, IS has reportedly taken captive over 100 Iraqi Sunni tribespeople, including children, near the city of Tikrit.

The IS has also caged and paraded Kurdish Iraqi prisoners, displaying its trademark brutality and disregard for human dignity, she said, adding that the international community stands united and undeterred in its resolve to bring an end to the outfit's depravity.

"IS seeks to control people through fear and oppression, but ultimately IS and all that it represents will fail due to the collective strength, determination, and unity of all those who stand against it," Meehan said.

Assyrian Christians, one of the world's oldest Christian communities, have been under increasing threat since IS captured large parts of Syria.

PTI