ISIS strikes again
The notorious Islamic jihadist group ISIS once again lauched a brutal rampage against the Assyrian Christian community in Syria where they kidnapped dozens of civilians, including women, children, priests, and the elderly.
ISIS militants also burned and destroyed homes and churches, and the attack displaced more than 3,000 people in the community of the religious minority.
The hostages were taken to Mount Abdulaziz southwest of Tal Tamir where ISIS controls majority of Assyrian villages in the area.
US condemns ISIS Attacks on Civilians in Syria
In a press statement in Washington DC, US Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said the United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attacks on predominantly Assyrian Christian villages in the northeast Syrian province of Hasakeh.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the civilians taken captive yesterday and of all those held by ISIS.” – Ms. Psaki
She highlighted that the jihadi group’s latest targeting of a religious minority is a further testament to its brutal and inhumane treatment of all those who disagree with its divisive goals and toxic beliefs.
Wishing to end the human carnage in Syria, Ms. Psaki stressed the US remains committed to leading the international coalition to degrade and defeat ISIS.
ISIS is composed largely of non-Syrian fighters and is believed to be made up of 12,000 fighters in Syria. The group gets its funding from oil revenue and wealthy donors in the Arab Gulf states.
In August last year, Assyrians in the US were reporting that ISIS was killing their families and friends in Iraq. WGN TV in Chicago reported that “The largest group of Iraqi Christians outside of Iraq lives in Chicago. Friday, hundreds of Assyrians asked the world to stop the genocide in northern Iraq, demanding a safe haven for rebel-targeted Christians.”