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UN Urges Protection as Islamic State Forces Take Over More Districts in Iraq

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UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he is "appalled" by the humanitarian crisis the actions by Islamic State (ISIL) and associated armed groups have triggered in Iraq as ISIL forces take over the districts of Sinjar and Tal Afar in Ninewa Province.

UNITED NATIONS, August 4 (RIA Novosti) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he is "appalled" by the humanitarian crisis the actions by Islamic State (ISIL) and associated armed groups have triggered in Iraq as ISIL forces take over the districts of Sinjar and Tal Afar in Ninewa Province.

Ban on Sunday called on “the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to put their differences aside and work closely together in addressing the urgent security needs of the nation, and adequately protecting and safeguarding the people and territorial integrity of Iraq.”

The UN estimates that the take-over of Ninewa Province has caused the mass displacement of some 200,000 civilians, mostly from the Yezidi community.

As after the targeting of Christians in Mosul, Ban said earlier on Sunday that “any systematic attack on the civilian population or segments of the civilian population because of their ethnic background, religious beliefs or faith may constitute a crime against humanity and those responsible must be held accountable.”

Secretary General concluded that the UN “stands ready to support the efforts of the Government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government in addressing the urgent humanitarian needs of those displaced by the current conflict.

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