The Syrian Islamic Council has issued a fatwa against ISIS. Procialming, "Let there be no aggression except against the tyrants," it praises the "jihad in Syria" for its "purity and sincerity," but accuses ISIS of "sedition." It reads: "This organization has imposed upon Syrian society trials, evils, and violations against the Sharia. Based on the conditions and attributes of this group, it was inevitable that the Syrian people uphold their duty to oppose it. This organization has committed gross violations against the Sharia as well clear criminal actions..." The statement refers to ISIS as the "State of Iraq & Syria," leaving the word "Islamic" out of its name. (Free Halab)

US: Assyrian, Yazidi diaspora responds
The Assyrian American National Federation on Aug. 8 held a rally in Chicago's Daley Plaza to call for intervention against a threatened "genocide" of Christians. Margaret Khamoo, president of the Chicago chapter of the Assyrian Aid Society of America, said through her megaphone: "We don't just want airstrikes. We need a plan for the future." One sign read: "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our Western friends."

Later that day, an anti-war rally was held in Daley Plaza, joined by members of the Gay Liberation Network, Northwest Indiana Veterans for Peace and Antiwar Committee Chicago. Jay Becker of World Can't Wait said the bombardment of Iraq was only an excuse for the United States to reassert its power in the region. (Chicago Tribune, Aug. 8)

Lincoln, Neb., has the largest concentration of Yazidis in the United States. After the fall of Sinjar, Yazidis staged a rally at the Nebraska Capitol building and petitioned Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R), who along with four other congressmen sent a letter to Obama calling for immediate humanitarian assistance. They also sent five vans of people to Washington to appeal to the State Department, seeking protection for their kin in Iraq. (AP, Aug. 13)