Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (gov.krg) - In a statement, the Kurdistan Regional Government Council of Ministers strongly condemned the beheading, in public, of three Pershmarga hostages by the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, in the eve of Kurdish New Year, Nawroz.

Following is the text of the statement

The killing of three of our heroic Peshmerga soldiers, martyrs Hisham Nabil, Pishtiwan Othman and Rizgar Hama Salih, at the hands of ISIS terrorists, in such a heinous and atrocious manner has shocked and saddened the Kurdistani people and their friends.

The murder of these three heroes in such a barbaric manner, is far from any human, religious and ethical principles and is an act that only exists in the dictionary of ISIS terrorists and their ilk.

At the time when we strongly condemn and denounce this horrific crime, we are confident that the terrorists will pay heavy price for this brutal act and will face the hands of justice. The ISIS terrorists must know that they will face severe punishment for their crimes.

We pay tribute to the lives of these three heroic martyrs and all the martyrs of Kurdistan.

We extend our condolences to the families of the three martyrs, Hisham Nabil, Pishtiwan Othman, Rizgar Hama Salih and to the rest of Kurdistani people.

Council of Ministers
Kurdistan Regional Government
22 March 2015