When trucks become weapons of terror

DISTURBING and explicit manifestos published by Islamic State detail how large load-bearing trucks can cause a “blood bath”, leaving a trail of carnage.

IN the November issue of its sophisticated colour magazine, Rumiyah, the Islamic State extolled the virtues of using vehicles, and particularly large load-bearing trucks to cause a “blood bath”.

Just weeks after the latest issue of the group’s propaganda magazine hit the internet, a large truck was yesterday rammed into a busy Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people and injuring scores more.

And it comes after a truck was the weapon which mowed down and killed 86 people in Nice on Bastille Day this year in horrific scenes.

The three-page article in Rumiyah, headlined Just Terror Tactics, includes instructions on how to maximise casualties in a truck attack, the best vehicles to use, the targets and the way to prepare and plan such an attack.

Authorites continue to remove bodies hours after a truck sped into a Christmas market in Berlin. Picture: AFP

Photographs of the best trucks to use are included along with a photo of an American Thanksgiving parade, describing it as “an excellent target”.

The disturbing and explicit article calls for a vehicle to be “plunged at high speed into a large congregation of kuffar (non believers), smashing their bodies with the vehicle’s strong outer frame while advancing forward — crushing their heads, torsos and limbs under the vehicle’s wheels and chassis — and leaving behind a trail of carnage”.

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Using a vehicle, unlike a knife which can arouse suspicion, is described as “one of the most comprehensive methods of attack” thus providing an opportunity for anyone who can drive to bring terror to the kuffar.

Previous attacks have shown however that smaller vehicles are incapable of the levels of carnage needed because they lack the weight and wheel span “required for crushing many victims”.

The article goes on to set out the attributes of the “ideal vehicle” and “vehicles to avoid” and says whilst buying a vehicle is the easiest option, renting, borrowing, hotwiring or carjacking can also be done.

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It reminds followers that in many European countries some large vehicles are speed-limited. One attribute to look for is “double-wheeled, giving victims less of a chance to escape being crushed by the vehicle’s tires” and it says that outer metal frames, in older vehicles are better because they are strong and cause more damage when slammed into crowds.

The frightening article goes on to suggest the kinds of “applicable targets” which followers should think about hitting such as large outdoor conventions and celebrations, outdoor markets, festivals, parades and political rallies.

Gatherings targeted should not be restricted to government and military personnel. “All so-called ‘civilian’ (and low security) parades and gatherings are fair game and more devastating to Crusader nations,” the article tells followers.

The driver's cabin is pictured of the truck that speeded into a Christmas market in Berlin. Picture: AFP

Detailed preparation and planning instructions are included, down to basics like ensuring vehicles are roadworthy and filled with fuel and the route of the attack is mapped out.

Those carrying out such attacks should also ensure that the motive of the attack is well publicised.

“An example of such would be simply writing on dozens of sheets of paper “The Islamic State will remain” or “I am a soldier of the Islamic State!” prior and launching them from the vehicle’s window during the execution of the attack,” the report urges followers.

Violent language and imagery is employed throughout the article to punctuate the need to kill as many as possible.

A truck, which ran into a crowded Christmas market killing several people is taken away by another truck in Berlin, Germany. Picture: AP

“In a bid to ensure utmost carnage upon the enemies of Allah it is imperative that one does not exit his vehicle during the attack. Rather, he should remain inside, driving over the already harvested kuffar and continue crushing their remains until it becomes impossible to continue by vehicle.”

The article also tells followers that is a good idea to have a secondary weapon, like a gun or a knife to maximise the kill count and terror levels.

Only weeks before the devastating Nice attack, in which a truck was driven along a promenade on Bastille Day, IS had also released a disturbing video calling on followers to “fill your cars with gas” and run over people. That video was subtitled in English and accompanied by German chanting.

Originally published as When trucks become weapons of terror