ISIS beheads Iraqi officer; the steely look in his eyes will haunt you for long
The photos of the so-called Islamic State beheading Iraqi officer Abu Bakr al-Samaraei is going viral. The fearless, defiant look Samaraei had in his eyes is simultaneously inspiring and haunting many people.
Releasing photos and videos of brutal executions they carry out is a normal practice for the so-called Islamic State. Some videos of IS members beheading civilians and captured soldiers are even shot in a way viewers feel they're watching a movie.
The latest photos released by a media linked to the ISIS shows Iraqi 1st Lt Abu Bakr al-Samaraei held captive and then being beheaded. Two images, that seem like screen grabs from a video, are going viral on social media.
In one image, Samaraei could be seen staring, his expression calm and his look defiant. An IS militant's hand could be seen, clutching the soldier's collar.
In the other image, Samaraei's head is pulled back, and the militant could be seen holding a knife to his throat, ready to cut.
Hayder al-Khoei, whose Twitter bio says "Iraq-focussed Middle East Watcher", shared the photo saying, "steely-eyed defiance in the face of death".
Pic of ISIS beheading of Iraqi officer, Bakr al-Samaraei, going viral on social media.
Steely-eyed defiance in the face of death. #Iraq pic.twitter.com/XlyJAO5l9w Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) February 21, 2017
He then shared a video in which Samaraei could be seen giving an interview. Khoei's tweet quotes Samaraei as saying, "Dignity will always triumph over love. Love without dignity is not worth a thing."
Iraqi martyr Bakr al-Samaraei: Dignity will always triumph over love. Love without dignity is worthless. #pt pic.twitter.com/yJcRtw9rOe Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) February 21, 2017
The Iraqi government, under Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, had launched a massive offensive against the ISIS. Iraq is being supported by the Kurdish forces and the United States.