Islamic State tells lone terrorists to target people on quiet walks, beaches, and night shifts

ISLAMIC State has advised followers to target westerners “returning home from a night out, ... walking alone in a public park ... (and on) beaches”.

This blood-soaked knife is featured on the cover of the second issue of Islamic State's Rumiyah magazine.

ISLAMIC State has issued a disturbing call to lone wolf followers to kill Westerners on “quiet walks ... beaches” and in laneways “nearby nightclubs”.

The terrorist organisation has released the second issue of its online English-language propaganda magazine Rumiyah via twitter and blogs. It contains detailed and graphic information about carrying out terror attacks including how to choose victims, how to kill them and when and where to strike. Some of the articles about slaughtering non-believers — referred to as ‘kafir’ or ‘kuffrs’ — are illustrated with images of beheaded men, weapons and a child with a gun.

The editorial ‘A message from East Africa’ includes instructions for followers to “hurl themselves into the midst of the battle by attacking the (disbeliever) nearest to them”.

“Let them follow the example of the lions who have preceded them by striking the crusader citizens and interests wherever they are found in the West,” it reads.

An article in the magazine titled ‘Just Terror Tactics’ advises followers that “choosing a target ... is just like hunting prey”.

“When carrying out a knife operation, it is not advised to target very large gatherings or overly crowded areas, as this presents a disadvantage and only increases the likelihood of being prevented from achieving kills,” it reads.

“Therefore, it is advised that when conducting an operation by oneself, the target should be a smaller crowd, particularly for the one strong in build or skilful in using a knife, as such attacks are proven to inflict terror.

The cover of the second issue of Islamic State's Rumiyah magazine.

“Alternatively, for one pursuing a prolonged campaign of terror, he may target lone victims. For example, the target could be a drunken kafir on a quiet road returning home from a night out, or the average kafir working his night shift, or someone walking alone in a public park or rural forested area, or someone by himself in an alley close to a nightclub or another place of debauchery, or even someone out for a walk in a quiet neighbourhood. One should consider canals, riversides, and beaches.

“It may also help to carry a baton or some other kind of concealable blunt object, such as a baseball bat, to strike the victim’s head with, thereby immobilising him before cutting his throat or stabbing him in other lethal areas to finish him off.”

A photo published in the second issue of IS magazine, Rumiyah.

The magazine includes several boastful references to recent attacks in Kenya, and the July attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka, Bangladesh that killed 20 people, including an American citizen.

The first issue of the magazine encouraged lone wolves to attack and kill Australians in public acts of terror.

“Kill them on the streets of Brunswick, Broadmeadows, Bankstown, and Bondi. Kill them at the MCG, the SCG, the Opera House, and even in their backyards,” an article published in the online periodical urged.

“Stab them, shoot them, poison them, and run them down with your vehicles.

“Kill them wherever you find them until the hollowness of their arrogance is filled with terror and they find themselves on their knees with their backs broken under the weight of regret for having waged a war against the believers, and by Allah’s will, and then through your sacrifices, this Ummah [community of Muslims] will be victorious.”

Many experts and government officials have warned that as IS loses territory in Iraq and Syria, it will lash out globally through attacks on western countries.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton last month urged the public not to be alarmed and said much of the material had previously been published in Arabic.

Justice Minister Michael Keenan said Islamic State had lost close to half the territory it held in Iraq, up to 20 per cent of territory in Syria with recent reports indicating numbers of fighters had fallen to record lows.

“ISIL morale is imploding and their brand is crumbling. ISIL regularly calls for attacks against the West and this is not the first time they have called for attacks against Australia,” he said in a statement.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said authorities were nevertheless taking the publication seriously.

“These threats are all too real,” he said.

A recent US Homeland Security report revealed that Australia ranked equal third among Western nations as a target for Islamic State-inspired terror attacks.

The likelihood of Australia suffering another terror attack is “probable”, as ranked on the National Terrorism Threat Level.

“Credible intelligence, assessed by our security agencies indicates that individuals or groups have developed both the intent and capability to conduct a terrorist attack in Australia,” according to Australian National Security.

The public should continue to exercise caution and report any suspicious incidents to the National Security Hotline by calling 1800 1234 00. Life-threatening situations should be reported to the police by calling triple-0 (000).

Originally published as Islamic State tells lone terrorists to target people on quiet walks, beaches, and night shifts