Islamic State terrorists strap suicide vests to cows and blow the animals up in terrorist attacks

ISIS militants in Iraq have started using cows harnessed with suicide vests to detonate bombs.

Two cows were spotted by residents in Al Islah, Iraq, on Saturday, strapped with explosive vests on the northern side of the village, according to police commander Col. Ghalib Al-Atyia in Diyala Province.

The bomb was detonated remotely when the cow was close to houses, killing the cow and damaging properties.

However Col. Ghalib Al-Atyia said no one was harmed in the operation according to The New York Times.

The colonel told how the unconventional attack signals that ISIS are resorting to other methods after lacking manpower due to a reduction in ranks following a four-year fight against Iraqi security forces.

Yet cows in the region can cost upwards of $1,200 because the animal is prized for its meat and milk.

Witnesses told how they had never seen a cow sent to its death in such a way.

And the use of animals to carry bombs is not new. In the Iraq civil war between 2003 and 2009, Al Qaeda placed bombs under dead livestock which would result in casualties from residents moving the animals away.

In Afghanistan during 2013 the Taliban used a suicide bomber with a donkey to kill three NATO troops.

Police commander Colonel Al-Atyia said the attack signalled the Islamic State’s presence and the use of livestock allowed the group to detonate bombs without being caught.

He added how the attack was part of a strategy to move into the area, which is close to main roads and neighboring provinces.

Source: Daily Mail