Boko Haram "unchecked killing must stop" - US

In a strongly-worded statement released late Friday, the US slammed the militant group Boko Haram for its "brutality and barbarism," and demanded that its "unchecked killing must stop."

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said the US "condemns the recent terrorist acts by Boko Haram in Cameroon and Niger in the strongest terms," and pointed to the group's "countless unprovoked attacks on men, women, and children in their homes, schools, places of worship, and businesses." Their actions "show total disregard for the sanctity of human life," she added.

"Boko Haram must not be allowed to continue brutally terrorizing innocent civilians in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger," Harf continued.

"The United States stands firmly with the governments and peoples of this region in the face of this threat." She noted that the Obama Administration is "responding to requests" from the aforementioned nations, and will "continue to provide support to governments in the region, including through intelligence-sharing, and increasing our support for those efforts."

Harf further affirmed the US "is committed to supporting the efforts of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF)," and lauded "efforts by the African Union and Lake Chad Basin Commission to bring together the MNJTF, and we will continue to work with our regional and international partners to make it an effective force."