Woman accused of adultery stoned to death by IS

A woman was stoned to death in northeastern Syria by Islamic State (IS) militants after she was accused of adultery, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Stones were hurled by IS members at the victim on Monday until she died in what is called the "old church" district in the city of al-Bukamal, located in the Syrian province of Deir al-Zour near the Iraqi border, Efe news agency reported citing SOHR.

Gruesome executions of the civilian population under the jihadis' control have become a common method of terrorising the community and as an instrument of propaganda.

Five young men from the town of al-Mayadin, also in Deir al-Zour, were killed on Monday by the IS, which accused them of various charges.

Four of them were shot dead for allegedly fighting against the organisation.

The fifth, charged with "indecent practices with a man", was thrown from the top of a building, a lawful punishment for homosexuality, according to IS.

According to figures released four days ago by SOHR, in the last month, IS has killed 464 of its own people in Syria.

Nearly one year ago, IS proclaimed a caliphate in Syria and in Iraq, and has since seized large parts of the two countries.