Truth or Fiction? Hero SAS Sniper Saved Father and 8-Year-Old Son from being Beheaded by Isis in Syria

The authenticity of the claim is being questioned.

A recent viral report claiming that a British Special Air Service (SAS) sniper saved an eight-year-old boy and his father from Islamic State (Isis) executioner moments before they were to be beheaded, should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Many on Twitter have raised questions on the authenticity of the report. The story of how a "hero" SAS sniper saved a Syrian father and son from the jaws of death reads more like something from an action movie script, social media users claim. Some even have called it "pure fiction."

The Daily Star on 10 August published the report claiming that a "hero" SAS sniper shot an Isis terrorist in the head from a range of 1,000 metres, seconds before the militant could strike and behead a Syrian man and his young son.

The report noted that the father and son, who are Shia Muslims, were sentenced to death after refusing to denounce their faith. The incident took place in July in Northern Syria, close to the border with Turkey.

Express.co.uk reported that the SAS shooter used a .50 calibre sniper rifle fitted with a silencer to kill the knife-wielding jihadi. But many on social media are now calling it a "feel good" story.

A Twitter user Samuel Coates noted: "This feels as implausible and unverified as the 'SAS snipers on quad bikes' story." Similar another social media user- Garmıyanı noted: "I'm sorry, I'm not buying this story. It sounds like a Chuck Norris movie. Badly written too. Just laughable."

Despite doubts being raised on its authenticity, the story has been shared by thousands of social media users, who commended the bravery of the SAS team that saved the Syrian man and his son.

Twitter Reactions

Joe Watch ‏@mcelderrytruth

Great tale of derring-do from Star who claim SAS saved whole village: only they don't name it so cld be pure fiction

Samuel Coates ‏@SamuelCoates

This feels as implausible and unverified as the "SAS snipers on quad bikes" story. But I'd like it to be true.. #ISIS

Garmıyanı כורדי ‏@Sarbarzi

I'm sorry, I'm not buying this story. It sounds like a Chuck Norris movie. Badly written too. Just laughable.

@RGx189

راديكاليهہ متطرفهہ® retweeted Charles C. W. Cooke
Show us proof that #ISIS were about to kill an 8 yr old! Last I heard, #SAS terrorists go around killing Civilians!