White House Condemns Islamic State Mass Kidnappings

The White House on Wednesday condemned mass kidnappings in Syria and Iraq perpetrated by Islamic State jihadists and vowed to end the group's "depravity."

The United States "strongly condemns" attacks on Assyrian Christian villages in northeastern Syria and the abduction of civilians, National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan said.

"In recent days ISIL (Islamic State) reportedly took captive over 100 Iraqi Sunni tribespeople, including children, near the city of Tikrit," she added.

"The international community stands united and undeterred in its resolve to bring an end to ISIL's depravity. The United States will continue to lead the fight to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL."