In policy switch since the February murders of 21 Egyptian Christians, White House spokesman identifies latest victims as Christians

Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on Murders in Libya

The United States condemns in the strongest terms the brutal mass murder purportedly of Ethiopian Christians by ISIL-affiliated terrorists in Libya. We express our condolences to the families of the victims and our support to the Ethiopian government and people as they grieve for their fellow citizens. That these terrorists killed these men solely because of their faith lays bare the terrorists’ vicious, senseless brutality. This atrocity once again underscores the urgent need for a political resolution to the conflict in Libya to empower a unified Libyan rejection of terrorist groups. (19 April 2015)

N.b. compare this statement to the February statement