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(Image: Reuters)

ISIS killers in Iraq are forcing men to wear beards so their fighters can hide from air strikes among civilians.

It has been reported that the murderous group have issued leaflets in the occupied city of Mosul saying that shaving is ‘immoral’ and warns of harsh punishments.

But the claims of ISIS’ ‘Islamic Police’ were mocked by one resident, who said the decree is nothing to do with religion.

They claim fighters want to blend in with the population and use them as human shields.

They told AFP that the terror group aims to make the battle harder for Iraqi government forces when they attempt to re-take the city.

Another said they had recently ditched vehicles with ISIS markings in avid to blend in.

(Image: REUTERS/Stringer)

Last month a group of men were arrested and imprisoned by ISIS terrorists - because they shaved off their beards.

The men were jailed for three months and told that if they repeat their 'crime' they will be beheaded, according to reports from within Mosul.

The terror group introduced a ban on shaving. Preachers issued threats that men who shave would be punished because it is against Sharia law.

The arrests were reported by Mosul Eye, who claims to be a blogger in Iraq.

The blog said: "ISIL (another name for ISIS) arrested a group of young men for shaving off their beards, and locked them in jail for three months.

"If they repeat this offense, ISIL will rule to behead them."

The United States and its allies carried out 17 air strikes on Isis targets in Iraq and Syria in a 24-hour period in their latest attacks on the group, the Combined Joint Task Force said last night.