ISIS terrorists punish own fighters for smoking

Damascus, May 20: A new video has emerged from territories under the control of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group which purportedly shows the brutal beating of the group's fighters for smoking cigarettes, media reported on Wednesday.

The video was reportedly released by the terrorist group showing the men lined up and sitting against a wall as a masked militant walks up and down, Khaama Press reported.

The video shows the masked militant jabbing the men with the barrel of his assault rifle. One of the men was also seen being beaten by the militant on his head with the wooden butt of the weapon.

Smoking is banned by the terror group which enforces strict Islamic rules and considers the habit a "slow suicide".

According to a pamphlet containing the terrorist group's strict rules and code of conduct for members, first-time offenders of the smoking ban are punished with 40 lashes while the second offence invites further whipping and imprisonment.

Anyone violating the rule for the third time would be fined a large sum of money and would be sent to a country camp.

The violation of the rule could also lead to execution besides public whipping and massive fine, the rule book stipulates.

The emergence of the video comes following a senior IS leader being found decapitated with a cigarette hanging from his mouth in February earlier this year.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the body of the senior leader was found with the words "O Sheikh, this is munkar" written on his body, translated as "this is evil, O Sheikh".

IANS