IS militants set ablaze boxes of chicken sent by US for starving Syrians

London: The Islamic State (IS) militants have destroyed boxes of chicken, meant for starving Syrian children, by setting them ablaze.

The terror group intercepted the food shipment at Akhtarin, northern Syria, and refused to accept it as it was sent by the US. They claimed that the chicken was "slaughtered unlawfully," despite the label clearly stating that it was "halal", The Daily Star reported.

The group posted a video on social media showing huge flames rising from piles of burnt food which could have fed thousands.

Almost 10 million Syrians in the conflict-torn region are in need of food assistance, with four in five living in poverty.