United Nations, Aug 8 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday he was "appalled" by the recent attacks on minority groups in northern Iraq and called for international assistance to the affected people.
"The secretary-general is deeply appalled at today's (Thursday) reports of attacks by the terrorist group Islamic State (IS) in Kirkuk, and Qaraqosh, and earlier attacks in Tal Afar and Sinjar district affecting mainly the vulnerable communities of Christians, Turkmen, and Yezidis," a statement issued here by Ban's spokesperson said.
Over the few days, Islamic State militants have stormed several towns in the northern part of Iraq. Thousands of civilians were trapped in the Sinjar mountains where they took shelter and were in desperate need of humanitarian assistance after fleeing attacks by the armed group, according to the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA).
UN agencies and partners were providing displaced people with emergency assistance including food, water, health care and basic household items.