“Such crimes once again demonstrate the brutality of ISIL which is responsible for thousands of crimes and abuses against people from all faiths, ethnicities and nationalities and without regard to any basic value of humanity,” the 15-member UN body said in astatement issued to the press on Wednesday evening and which refereed to the group by its Arabic acronym, Da’esh.

ISIL/Da’esh militants have reportedly taken hostage more than 200 Assyrians as they stormed villages in northeast Syria this week.

In their statement, Council members demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those abducted by ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and stressed that those responsible for such heinous acts must be held accountable.

The Security Council also strongly condemned all acts of violence against civilians including those committed on the basis of their ethnicity, religion or belief.

Photo: UN Photo/Loey Felipe (file)