Call to ISIL supporters: Attack their markets and hospitals

A group supporting the Islamic State on Wednesday called on its followers to carry out attacks on markets and hospitals across Europe during the Christmas period, and urged Muslims to stay as far away as possible from Christian celebrations, Patria reports.

The threat came as European authorities stepped up security measures following the attack in Berlin claimed by the Islamic State, in which a killer drove a truck into a crowd at a Christmas market, killing 12 people.

The Nashir Media Foundation, which supports the Islamic State, published its message online, accompanied by images of fighters with rifles and knives, Santa Claus, a reindeer, and a Christmas tree.

"Their celebrations, gatherings, clubs, markets, theatres, cinemas, shopping centres, and even their hospitals are perfect targets for you," the online message from Islamist "Lone Wolves" in Europe stated.

The message also said that the Islamic State would "replace fireworks with explosive belts and explosive devices, so their singing and clapping will turn into crying and mourning," Index reports.