Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that it strongly condemns the actions of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), after the group released a video clip recently showing militants beheading an American journalist.

"The violent campaigns against minority groups in northern Iraq, the systematic and widespread abuses of human rights, and the horrific murder of American journalist James Foley, attest to the serious and immediate nature of the ISIS threat," local broadcaster Channel NewsAsia quoted a spokesperson of the ministry as saying in a statement.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it conveys its deepest condolences to the families of Foley and other victims.

It also calls for the immediate release of all hostages by ISIS.

"There is an urgent need for the international community to work together to counter the threat posed by terrorist groups such as ISIS," the spokesperson said.

Singapore firmly supports the United Nations Security Council Resolution that "condemns in the strongest terms, the terrorist acts and violent extremist ideology of ISIS" and urges all UN member states to take appropriate measures to combat terrorism.

ISIS on Tuesday posted a video depicting the gruesome execution of Foley, who was seized in Syria in November 2012, and threatened to kill a second reporter unless the United States halts air strikes in Iraq.

Earlier on Thursday, Singapore's Minister of Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim also described the acts of the ISIS as "barbaric" and that he was "shocked and appalled."

"Such gruesome and inhumane acts carried out by the group on innocent civilians must be condemned," he said. "The international community must rally together to stop the group's barbaric acts at once before more innocent lives are lost." Endi

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