Sunday, April 19, 2015

White House Condemns Islamic State Massacre of Ethiopian Christians

(Apr 19, 2015, (voa))--The White House has condemned "in the strongest terms" the mass murder of 30 Ethiopian Christians in Libya claimed by Islamic State.

A spokeswoman said Sunday, "That these terrorists killed these men solely because of their faith lays bare the terrorists' vicious senseless brutality." She said the killings show the urgent need for a political settlement to the chaos in Libya, and a unified rejection of terrorist groups.

In claiming responsibility for the massacre, Islamic State group posted a graphic video showing men kneeling on a beach and beheaded. Others are shot in the back of the head. It is similar to a February video showing Islamic State militants cutting off the heads of Egyptian Christians.

Arab League meeting planned
An Arab League official told the French news agency military chiefs from the region would meet in Cairo this week to discuss creating a joint military force against Islamic State militants.

A United States-led coalition of several regional partners continued attacks against the IS nerve-center on Sunday, with 12 airstrikes in Iraq and one in Syria.

Reaction in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, government spokesman Redwan Hussein said officials were in contact with its embassy in Cairo to verify the video's authenticity. Hussein said he believed those killed likely were Ethiopian migrants hoping to reach Europe. Libya has become a hub for migrants across Africa hoping to cross the Mediterranean to enter Europe for work and better lives. Read more from Voice of America »

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