ISIS-linked group calls for New Year’s Eve attacks using horrific images

Islamic State supporters are calling upon jihadis in the West to launch more holiday attacks in an effort to seize momentum after last week’s truck attack in Berlin. In a series of graphical images posted to an encrypted Telegram channel seen by The Foreign Desk, the Nashir Media Foundation, a pro-ISIS media group, urges potential ‘lone wolf’ attacks in public venues including cinemas, malls and even hospitals. The posts, however, make a point to warn Muslims to stay safe, away from New Years’ celebrations. One brutal image showing a knife-wielding jihadi chasing a ‘Santa on the run’ is captioned, “You disbelieving dogs which prepared for Christmas celebrations, be ready for shedding the blood scattering the shreds and funerals, for the eyes of caliphate lions are looking straight towards you and promise you with bitter deaths.” In another image a jihadi stands next to a burning image of a numerical 2017 with an inscription that reads, “We will make your New Year mayhem with bombings and trampling attacks.” Another poster reads "Oh disbelievers, As you are preparing for Christmas celebrations, we advise you to prepare your coffins as well. Your celebrations have become a battlefield and a fighting area. So, wait for us.” Intelligence agencies and law enforcement around the world are on a heightened state of alert following last week’s terror attack in Berlin, where Amri Anis, a ISIS jihadist, ploughed a truck into a crowd of people at a Christmas market in Berlin killing 12 and wounding 56. Earlier today, French police thwarted an attack, arresting a man in Toulouse who planned an attack for New Years’ Eve.