President Barack Obama says the United States will continue to confront ISIS extremists despite the brutal murder of journalist James Foley.

Obama says the entire world is "appalled" by Foley's killing. The president says he spoke Wednesday with Foley's family and offered condolences.

Obama says the ISIS abducts women and children, and tortures, rapes, enslaves and kills people. He said ISIS targets Christians and other minorities and aims to commit genocide.

Obama spoke Wednesday from Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, where he's vacationing with his family, a day after the militants released a video showing the American journalist being beheaded.