The ban comes just days after the release of two horrific videos showing scenes of children carrying out executions. While Jihadi John is infamous for the ISIS beheading videos, these so-called “cubs of the caliphate” or “ISIS cubs” are being trained in these intimidation tactics. In one of the videos, a young boy of about 10 years of age is seen using a knife to decapitate a Syrian Army officer. “After the ISIS child beheads the Syrian soldier, the boy lifts the head into the air, and then, he places it on the back of the lifeless body on the pavement”.
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Baghdadi’s decree is meant “to be considerate of Muslims and children’s feelings who may find these scenes grotesque”.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the group’s leader, has told his commanders the graphic clips could offend youngsters.
In the months since, the group’s sickening propaganda videos have moved away from beheadings onto equally grusome executions. The video was shot in the Syrian province of Homs.
Some reports claim that this declaration is not being taken especially positively by enthusiasts of beheading videos, who view them as necessary to intimidate the West. Others are clear in noting that such a change should not be taken as an indication that ISIS is taking a more sensitive turn but, rather, that its leadership is anxious that it is only attracting brutal murderers, and that they need to widen their appeal to build the state they wish to establish.
It is unclear exactly when Baghdadi issued the edict banning execution videos, but it is speculation that it occurred in the past few weeks.
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IS group used to present footages of executions that include heinous scenes committed by militants to terrorize opponents.
