Islamic State committed genocide against Christians, Shi'ites

Islamic State militants lead what are said to be Ethiopian Christians along a beach in Wilayat Barqa, in this still image from an undated video made available on a social media website on April 19, 2015.

Syria: Islamic State has committed genocide against Christians, Yazidis and Shi'ite Muslims, the United States said on Thursday, a finding U.S. officials hope will bring more resources to help the groups even though it does not change U.S. military strategy or legal obligations.

 "In my judgment, Daesh is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control, including Yazidis, Christians and Shi'ite Muslims," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters, referring to the group by an Arabic acronym. "Daesh is genocidal by self-proclamation, by ideology, and by actions."