Islamic State fighters are shaving off their beards and dressing as women in a bid to escape from battle, Iraqi forces have claimed.

A series of pictures have emerged showing men who have reportedly been caught trying to escape from northern Iraq wearing dresses, bras and make-up.

The photographs, posted on Instagram, show authorities appearing to pull back burkas to reveal young boys and even men with moustaches.

Islamic State fighters are using bras and dresses to disguise themselves as women in a bid to escape from battle, Iraqi forces have claimed

The photographs, posted on Instagram, show authorities appearing to pull back burkas to reveal young boys and even men with moustaches. It is not known when the images were originally taken

In one a scared teenager wearing pink eyeshadow is held by the throat as an official takes a picture. It is not known when the photograph was originally taken.

The account also carries images of dead fighters, the Sunday Mirror reported.

Under Sharia law, which ISIS partially adheres to, women are prevented from fighting.

Jihadists are believed to be terrified of being killed by a female because they think it will stop them getting their 72 virgins in heaven.

A man is pictured wearing lipstick in one of the images that has emerged showing ISIS fighters dressing as women, as they try to flee from northern Iraq

One man is pictured in a flowery red jumpsuit with a thick blue blanket pulled over his head

But men - and even boys as young as 13 - have been given powerful machine guns and are expected to join the cause.

The photographs were revealed just five days after it emerged three men from the region were accused of homosexuality and publicly beheaded by a sword-wielding ISIS executioner.

Iraqi troops and militia are battling to push ISIS back from the area with support from a US-led coalition and Iran.

The photographs were revealed just five days after chilling new images emerged of three men being beheaded. The executioner stands with the sword poised above the man's head as a large crowd gathers to watch

But retaking Nineveh and Mosul poses a major challenge for Baghdad's forces, as the militants have had more than nine months to dig in.