Isis committed genocide in Iraq and Syria, US declares

US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Isis has committed genocide against Christians and other ethnic minorities

The US has declared that Isis committed genocide in Iraq and Syria. (Getty Images)

The slaughter of Christians, Yazidis and other ethnic groups by Isis should be classified as genocide, the US Secretary of State John Kerry has said.

"In my judgment, Daesh is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control, including Yazidis, Christians and Shia Muslims," he said, using the Arabic name for Isis.

The terror group is, he added, guilty of "crimes against humanity."

This declaration comes after the US House of Representatives voted 393-0 on a nonbinding resolution calling the atrocities committed by Isis genocide.

It is the first time the US has declared genocide since Darfur in 2004, according to CNN.

This declaration from Mr Kerry does not obligate the US to take further action against the group, though the House resolution was an effort to put additional pressure on the Obama administration to commit more resources to fighting to terrorist organization.

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