Islamic State militants publicly behead man for witchcraft in Syria

Pic courtesy: Daily Mail

Raqqa: In yet another gruesome act, the Islamic State militants in Syria have beheaded a man for allegedly practicing witchcraft, Daily Mail reported on Monday.

As per the report, an unknown man, with long grey beard and bald head, was photographed while being killed by a masked executioner in a village just outside ISIS' stronghold and de facto capital Raqqa before a large number of spectaters.

In the image released, the victim is seen being led to the execution site by a militant who appears to be a teenager. And, around them masked militants wielding assault rifles are seen.

In another image, an old man kneeling on the floor with his arms tied behind his back, his head resting on the chopping block and the axe just millimetres from his neck is seen.

As the barbaric incident was taking place a dozens of onlookers pressed up against a metal railing to get a closer look at the gruesome scene.

The latest development comes days after the ISIS militants released a video purporting to show Jordanian pilot Moaz al Kasasbeh being burnt alive in a cage as masked militants in camouflage uniforms looked on.

The fear factor is a very important part of the Islamic style of execution–and it seems that the ISIS is bringing that fear factor to new heights - which had even threatened to behead US President Barack Obama while also saying that they will transform America into a Muslim country.

Meanwhile, coalition airstrikes pounded ISIS positions in Iraq and Syria, including at least a dozen strikes on Mosul, where anti-ISIS forces have been trying to weaken targets ahead of an anticipated fight to wrest Iraq's second largest city from the terror group.