Isis head bans graphic execution videos to spare feelings of fellow Muslims and their children

Islamic State (Isis) head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has issued a decree that bans the execution videos which have helped to make his militants notorious.

He is believed to have sent a letter to his media offices stating they are no longer allowed to show graphic scenes of violence in their videos. The decision is understood to be based on a desire not to offend other Muslims, because they might consider the videos as disgusting and too frightening for children.

Videos of executions by beheading by "Jihadi John" gained global attention last year and a series of sadistic variants have since been released, which include victims being drowned in groups, thrown off buildings, burnt to death in cages and blown up by explosive necklaces.

Syrian agency ARA news reports that the decision has divided Isis members. Some of them consider the videos are not good for Isis's public image. But others believe the videos intimidate their enemies.

Speaking to ARA, Syrian politician and lawyer Ferid Hisso said that Isis does not care about their victims or the public, and that banning the broadcasting of such videos "won't eliminate the IS-led horrors that have been seen by people around the world over the past couple of years".

"Instead of banning the release of such videos, Baghdadi should have rather banned the crimes behind the scenes. But he has already justified the barbarism of his followers, and his decision makes no sense," said Hisso.

"The terrorist group describes its crimes as the application of the rule of God," added Hisso ironically.

The most recent video shows a child, who unlikely to be older than 10, beheading a Syrian army officer. The execution is understood to have taken place at the Western Hir Palace in Homs province of Homs following the soldier's capture at the Al-Bosayri army checkpoint.