US confirms IS is carrying out genocide in Iraq and Syria

The US today declared that the Islamic State is carrying out genocide against Christians, Yazidis and Shiite minority communities in Iraq and Syria.

Islamic State militants. Photo: Reuters.

"In my judgment, Daesh is responsible for genocide against groups... under its control, including Yazidis, Christians and Shiites," Reuters quoted US Secretary of State John Kerry as saying in a statement to the press, using the Arabic name of the Islamic State (IS).

Secretary Kerry made the comments after the US Congress voted to declare IS a genocide against religious minorities, a move with international legal significance.

“It is important to call out these crimes, but it is more important to stop them,” Mr. Kerry said.

The US is leading an international coalition, including many Western countries and Arab allies, carrying out airstrikes against IS in Iraq and Syria. The coalition also supports the Iraqi government, Kurdish and Syrian militias against the rebel group.

According to VNE