Singapore condemns actions of Islamic State

Singapore has strongly condemned the actions of the Islamic State, including the “horrific murder” of American journalist James Foley and its violent campaign against minority groups in northern Iraq.

These actions and the Islamic State’s widespread abuses of human rights “attest to the serious and immediate nature of the ISIS threat”, said a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman yesterday.

“We convey our deepest condolences to the families of Mr Foley and other innocent victims. We also call for the immediate release of all hostages by the ISIS,” the spokesman added. “There is an urgent need for the international community to work together to counter the threat posed by terrorist groups such as the ISIS.”

Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim also said in a Facebook post yesterday that he was shocked and appalled at the beheading of Mr Foley by the Islamic State.

“Such gruesome and inhumane acts carried out by the group on innocent civilians must be condemned. The international community must rally together to stop the group’s barbaric acts at once before more innocent lives are lost,” he said.