Isis executes Raqqa media activists to hit informants network

Islamic State (Isis) militants have executed two young media activists in Raqqa, the de facto capital of the caliphate, in an alleged attempt to score a victory against renowned group Syria Is Being Slaughtered Silently (RSS).

A video released by the jihadist group shows the two activists in their early 20s, named as Bashar Abdul Atheem and Faisal Hasan al-Habib, wearing orange jumpsuits and being interrogated about their anti-IS activities, which supposedly include handing out leaflets criticising Sharia law.

The duo was forced to confess that they monitored the activities of IS and were paid $400 (£260) for taking pictures of oil wells around Raqqa province, according to IBTimes India. The footage ends with the two activists, who had been previously tied around their waists to a tree trunk, being shot dead by two IS militants wearing balaclavas and camouflage.

Abu Mohammed, a media activist for RSS, confirmed to IBTimes UK via Skype that the two activists were executed by IS, but denied the claim that they work with them.

"I don't know whether they are activists. Reports came out saying they were working with us, but that is not true. I'm surprised by these reports," Mohammed said.

He said IS was trying to score a victory against the Raqqa is Being Slaughtered blog "because they are not able to do anything with us".

RSS is a citizen journalism blog exposing the atrocities of the Islamic State in Raqqa. It has published first-hand accounts, videos and pictures of the Syrian city under IS.