US releases graphic video mocking ISIS

The US has released a graphic mock Islamic State recruitment video showing executions, crucifications, suicide bombings and decapitated bodies to dissuade would be American jihadists from joining the dreaded terrorist outfit.

The video, titled "Welcome to the 'Islamic State' land", starts with a simple phrase: "Run, Do not walk to ISIS land" and is part of the US State Department's anti-radicalisation campaign "Think Again, Turn Away".

The graphic video uses the group's own propaganda footage posted online, to offer a glimpse into the barbarity of this terrorist organisation and discourage young radicalised Americans from joining the group, which has already executed two American journalists and posted the videos online.

It is estimated that more than 100 Americans and 500 Britons are fighting in Iraq and Syria along with the IS militants.

The video, lists the "Useful new skills for the Ummah!" ISIS sympathisers can learn. Among them: blowing up Muslims inside mosques, crucifying and executing Muslims, shooting blind folded men at point blank range, beheadings and plundering of public resources.

The video, posted on a youtube channel ends with the sarcastic note: "Travel is inexpensive, because you won't need a return ticket."

Using social media to reach out to new recruits throughout the world has been a crucial part of IS strategy and it frequently posts gruesome vidoes on social networking sites to terrorise opponents and bolster the confidence of its own fighters.

In an attempt to counter their online offensive, the US State Department has also set up a series of anti-IS accounts on social networking sites and regularly sends out anti- extremist messages in various languages to potential recruits.

"Our mission is to expose the facts about terrorists and their propaganda," the State Department said on the campaign's Facebook page.