John Kerry: Islamic State has committed genocide

The Islamic State (IS) militant group has committed genocide against minority Christians and Yazidis as well as Shi’ite Muslims, US secretary of state John Kerry said, a finding that is unlikely to greatly change US policy toward the group.

“The fact is that Daesh kills Christians because they are Christians, Yazidis because they are Yazidis, Shi’ites because they are Shi’ites,” Mr Kerry said, referring to the group by an Arabic acronym, and accusing it of crimes against humanity and of ethnic cleansing.

While the genocide finding may make it easier for the US to argue for greater action against the group, it does not create a legal obligation on the US to do more.