ISIS in Italy? Jihadis launch twisted 'Rome' magazine as flag is seen flying from house
ISLAMIC State has launched a European-focused magazine at the same time as the crazed jihadis’ flag has been seen waving from an Italian building.
ISIS has launched a new propaganda magazine called Rumiyah
The terror group has lost swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria as US-led air strikes decimate ISIS strongholds.
Following the deaths of a number of key ISIS commanders, the group has launched a new 38-page propaganda magazine, Rumiyah.
Arabic for Rome, the magazine’s title has ben seen as a reference to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Rumiyah features relatively little original content, suggesting ISIS is having to cut corners in its media operations
Previously the group spread its sick ideology in its English language publication Dabiq, named after an ISIS-held town in Northern Syria.
But with ISIS is under attack, it is thought the jihadis do not want their propaganda to be associated with a town they could potentially lose.
The magazine aims to recruit terrorists in the West to carry out lone wolf attacks.
After the bombing in Baghdad the so-called Islamic State show a switch in tactics
Charlie Winter, a researcher who has examined ISIS propaganda, said of Rumiyah: “Intriguingly, it features relatively little original content, suggesting ISIS is having to cut corners in its media operations.”
The evil jihadis have been driven back from the Syrian town of Manbij and the Syrian-Turkish border in recent weeks.
But despite a series of documents last week revealing ISIS is being plagued by in-fighting, financial issues and power struggles, the group’s flag has been seen flying on the continent.
ISIS has launched a new 38-page propaganda magazine, Rumiyah
The black ISIS banner was photographed flying on the terrace of an Italian property in Tagliacozzo.
Police were called after the flag was seen in the upmarket village dubbed ‘Little Switzerland’, in the province of L’Aquila, central Italy.
A neighbour said the property belongs to a Libyan citizen who until recently had a Libyan flag outside his home.
The neighbour said: “I reported it this morning to the police, but I am still waiting for their intervention.”
The flag is one of ISIS’ most recognisable symbols
The flag is one of ISIS’ most recognisable symbols after the jihadis hijacked a flag used by Al-Shabab in Somalia and Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
Flown from ISIS strongholds, the black and white banner with Arabic lettering reads “There is no god but Allah. Mohammad is the messenger of Allah. Mohammed is the messenger of God.”
The spread of propaganda comes as a Cheshire florist found himself featured in the jihadis’ twisted magazine.
A picture of Stephen Leyland appeared in the English language version of Rumiyah.
The magazine encourages would-be murderers to take "even the blood of a merry Crusader citizen selling flowers to passersby".
Rumiyah also called for Mr Leyland's death, placing his picture under the shocking headline "The Kafir's (infidels) blood is halal for you, so shed it".
The 64-year-old said: "It has come as a bit of a shock. When I was first contacted I thought it was a wind-up. I really don't know what to do.
"I'm not scared but I am concerned that the photo is in this magazine.
"I don't know any jihadis. My customers are the Alderley Edge crowd footballers' wives and those sort of people."
Counter-terrorism experts have since interviewed Mr Leyland.