Back in March of this year I wrote of the latest campaign being launched by the terrorist group ISIS, in which they were rounding up men suspected of homosexuality and executing (murdering) them by stoning or throwing the men off the roofs of local high-rise buildings. If they survived the fall, which in at least one reported instance occurred, the victim would be ‘finished off’ by being stoned to death.
We are now getting reports that prior to the men accused of being homosexual being killed, their killers embrace them, give them a big ol’ warm hug, and tell them their sin has been forgiven. They then proceed to either stone the accused to death anyway or toss them off the roof.
Members of ISIS have reportedly taken to entrapping men they suspect of being gay by posing as gay men themselves and arranging for a date or, perhaps, even an actual tryst. Whether or not the ‘undercover’ operative actually engages in sex – just to confirm the target is actually a homosexual, you understand – is unknown. Given the culture of machismo in the Middle East (whereby a male who adopts the penetrative role, be it oral or anal, in a male-male sexual encounter is not considered by himself or others to be homosexual – only the receptive partner is) it would not surprise me if they had.
In a series of photographs released by ISIS-supporters, the soon to be killed men are shown being hugged by the very men who, in a matter of moments, would begin their killing. The photographs were issued on social media, a favourite outlet for ISIS propaganda, apparently to reveal the terrorists’ compassionate side.
The accused men themselves appear calm and accepting of their fate. There is no indication that the hugging, in any way, led them to believe they were forgiven to the point of being let go or at least allowed to live but, of course, it is impossible to ascertain from a series of photographs what went through their minds in the moments leading up to their death. What is known is that victims are often given a potent cocktail of drugs to ‘calm them’ and reduce their anxiety prior to their execution, or a public amputation of a limb (the punishment for being found a thief).
As with all such public executions, a large crowd of men and boys have gathered to witness it. This particular execution of two men is being held out in the desert and several motorcycles and an RV can be seen parked nearby, suggesting many in the crowd had to drive out to the desert to witness these killings. Pretty sick stuff right there.
Stoning someone to death does not result in immediate death. The rocks and stones used are usually not much bigger than a fist. It is the repeated blunt force trauma to the body over a prolonged period of time that causes eventual death. It is a particularly painful, gruesome way to die. Which is why beheading, another of ISIS’ favourite methods of execution, is seen as much more compassionate and humane. Talk about your twisted logic. Of course, as we now know, ISIS executioners don’t use sharp swords to decapitate, such as is the preferred method in Saudi Arabia, for instance. They prefer to saw the head off instead.
Information regarding this latest atrocity emerged after news that Iraqi armed forces will be receiving their first shipment of 18 F-16 fighter jets, ordered four years ago at a cost of two-billion British pounds (or $3.7 billion Cdn). The jets, along with U.S.-trained Iraqi pilots and spare parts, are scheduled to be delivered July 21st and, according to a statement released on the Iraqi Defence Ministry’s website, operations will commence immediately in a series of air strikes against ISIS, with whom Iraq has been engaged for several years.
It is believed by many observers that such public executions are a direct retaliation on the part of ISIS against such incursions. The last series of executions I wrote about in March also came after a series of high-profile missions against ISIS, which resulted in significant losses for them, including many high-ranking ISIS leaders.
As atrocious and disgusting as these and other executions carried out by ISIS are, it is what is done with the bodies after that is as, if not more (if possible) horrific. In some instances, the bodies are simply left to rot under the desert sun, the viscera and brain tissue left spilling across the dirt or the decapitated head posed on the lifeless body, as an object lesson to any who might dare challenge the authority of ISIS. In at least one instance, this regarding the remains of American photojournalist James Foley, his killers attempted to sell – yes, sell – his headless body to Foley’s family for a reputed $1-million US.
Such evil – such outright perversion – must be dealt with and dealt with harshly.
