A Member Loyal To The Islamic State In Iraq And The Levant (ISIL) Waves An ISIL Flag In Raqqa.
A member loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) waves an ISIL flag in Raqqa June 29, 2014. REUTERS/Stringer

Videos and images of angry Muslims burning the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria flag as their own version of the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on the Internet. In a report by the Daily Mail, several photos and videos of Muslims setting fire to the ISIS flag were posted on social media sites like Twitter.

The #BurnISISflagchallenge became a trending hashtag on Twitter as Muslims who participate in the mass action said they could no longer tolerate the barbaric actions of the militant group in Iraq and Syria. The beheading of two American journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, had sparked outrage even from hate cleric Abu Qatada.

One video uploaded on YouTube nominated everyone who saw the footage and urged them to do the same. According to reports, the #BurnISISFlagChallenge began with a group of students in Lebanon who were sickened by the beheading of Lebanese soldiers in August.

Referring to Foley and Sotloff, Qatada told reporters that journalists should not be killed because they are "messengers of the truth." Sotloff was the second U.S. journalist killed at the hands of ISIS. The beheading video has outraged more people around the world and strengthened the commitment of U.S.-led airstrikes in Iraq.

The U.S. has intensified its aerial attack against ISIS in Iraq with a growing list of objectives and targets. Reports said nine airstrikes over the weekend made it possible for Iraqi government troops to take over the Haditha Dam in Anbar province. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the latest attacks in Haditha were requested by the Iraqi government. It was important to the government to not let ISIS take control of the dam.

President Barack Obama is expected to make an announcement about a new "game plan" in the ongoing fight against the militants. Reports said the plan could include separate attacks in Syria if the U.S. can get support from its international allies. Mr. Obama has previously said the U.S. will be part of an international coalition to reduce the capabilities of ISIS and shrink the number of territories under its control.

(Credit: YouTube/TomoNewsUS)