Isis in Syria: Jihadis release gruesome images of convicted thieves losing their hands

New images from the Islamic State's stronghold in Syria show the terrorist group enacting its own form of brutal justice on two suspected criminals. The images, shared by pro-Isis Twitter accounts, show hundreds of men and young boys watching the punishment take place in a public square.

According to the Daily Mail Online, the two blindfolded accused thieves are sat down at a wooden table at the centre of a large crowd. The men are held down by three Isis fighters as a fourth man rests a sharp butcher's knife on their wrists.

A fifth jihadi is then seen hitting the top of the blade to chop the hand right off the victims.

The gruesome footage comes on the heels of an announcement by Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi banning Isis militants from sharing ghastly execution videos online. According to ARA News, al-Baghdadi announced the ban in an official letter to all Islamic State media offices.

Pro-Isis sources revealed the jihadi leader justified his ban by saying Muslims may view the images as both disgusting and disturbing for children. ARA News revealed that some of al-Baghdadi's followers have supported his decision, while others say the images are meant to intimidate their enemies.

Syrian politician and lawyer Ferid Hisso told ARA News that the terrorist group does not care for their victims and the ban "won't eliminate the IS-led horrors that have been seen by people around the world over the past couple of years".

Hisso added, "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."

Previous videos released by the extremist group includes a child executioner, men being thrown off buildings for being gay, beheadings and other gruesome acts.