The Islamic State has issued chilling threat to attack Christmas markets in the Britain, France and Germany in pictures circulated among supporters.
The jihadis have circulated images on messaging apps including one in which a black-clad hooded figure is seen standing over a kneeling Santa Claus with an image of Regent Street in the background.
A message in English, French, and German says ‘Soon on your holidays’ with the clear implication that London can expect a terrorist attack over the holiday season.
The images were intercepted on message apps used by supporters of the Islamic State
The chat group is called Army of Mujahideen and images appear to be designed by a user called Dr Almani.
The image was intercepted by BlackOps Cyber, a darknet intelligence company, The Epoch Times reported.
According to the company, it was the first time they had seen this particular image and it was posted at 12:27 p.m., UK time, according to the time on a screengrab showing the chat feed.
The image is from a chat group called Army of Mujahideen and appears to be designed by a user called Dr Almani.
Another image shows a blood soaked hand gripping a knife, Photoshopped onto a poster for Paris Christmas markets, which has the Eiffel Tower in the background.
The emergence of the images comes after German police arrested six alleged ISIS plotters amid fears they were planning an attack on a Christmas market on the anniversary of last year’s atrocity in Berlin.
The Syrian men were arrested during raids involving 500 officers in the towns of Kassel, Hannover, Essen and Leipzig.
German police have arrested six alleged ISIS plotters amid fears they were planning to launch a ‘coordinated attack’ on a Christmas market (file picture)
In December last year, 12 were murdered when an ISIS fanatic ploughed a lorry through Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz Christmas market
Prosecutors say they were plotting a co-ordinated attack using ‘weapons and explosives’.
There are reports the target may have been a Christmas market in the north western town of Essen on December 19, but this has not been confirmed by authorities.
On the same date last year, Tunisian ISIS fanatic Anis Amri hijacked a truck to murder 12 revellers at the packed Breitscheidplatz Christmas market.
The Foreign Office has issued advice for travellers planning attend the seasonal events across Europe this year.
It says: ‘There may be increased security in place over the Christmas and New Year period, including at Christmas markets and other major events that might attract large crowds. You should be vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.’