Syria condemns IS attack on Christian Assyrian community

Syria's Foreign Ministry on Friday condemned the attacks of the Islamic State (IS) militants on Christian Assyrian community in northeastern Syria, according to the state news agency SANA.

The condemnation came in letters sent to the UN, in which the ministry pinpointed the "terrorist acts" of the IS against the Assyrian community.

It said the IS unleashed attacks on tens of predominantly Assyrian villages, including Tal Hurmoz, Tal Shamiram, Tal Rumman, Tal Nasra and many more towns in the countryside of the northeastern al-Hasaka province, depriving many lives and kidnapping around 200 civilians.

Over 690 families were also displaced by the IS attack, not to mention the desecration of worship places and churches, the ministry added, according to SANA.

It added that the burnt church of Tal Hurmoz was one of the most ancient churches in Syria and the world.

The ministry noted that the recent attacks add to the series of "crimes" taken by the terrorist groups, which often target religious places, holy shrines and ancient cemeteries.

"Those crimes would not have been done if it wasn't for the ongoing and direct support the terrorist groups are receiving from well-known countries," the ministry remarked.

Moreover, the ministry urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in fighting terrorism and radical groups through coordination with the Syrian government and via "honest" implementation of the related IN anti-terror resolutions.

The ministry stressed the Syrian government's "full readiness" to cooperate with the "honest and true" parties on countering terrorism. Endit