An ancient prophecy that sees an "infidel horde" in a monumental battle with an Islamic army in the Syrian town of Dabiq has apparently been seized upon by IS fundamentalists.
The Sunni Muslim tale dates back more than 1,300 years and tells of the "horde" flying 80 banners before an Islamic triumph that triggers the end of days.
It has become a fundamental part of the philosophy that drives Islamic State militants.
Having captured Dabiq in August, the town's symbolic significance far outweighs its relatively minor strategic importance to the group, compared with cities it controls such as Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.
But as the militants come under heavy bombardment from the air by the US and allies seeking to halt their march, Dabiq is increasingly becoming a rallying call.
Shadi Hamid, a fellow at the Brookings Institute, said: "It raises morale.
"It is fair to assume that the vast majority of (IS) fighters believe in this type of talk."
The prophecy itself was made by the Prophet Mohammed, according to his companion Abu Hurayrah's report, or hadith.
Abu Hurayrah is described as the most prolific narrator of hadith - accounts of the Prophet Mohammed's deeds, teachings and sayings - in Sunni Islam, adding to the importance of the prophecy in the eyes of IS.
Among IS supporters on social media, Dabiq has become a byword for a struggle against the West, with the US-led coalition portrayed as modern-day Crusaders. IS has even named its official magazine Dabiq.
One Twitter user in Tunisia recently wrote: "The lions of Islam have raised the banner of the Caliphate in Dabiq. Now they await the arrival of the Crusader army."
The prophecy has been passed down in different versions, but in all cases it features a great battle between a Muslim army and the forces of non-believers.
IS supporters have been interpreting a series of recent events as further evidence of its truth.
The US-led coalition's members now number more than 60 countries, with many watching closely in anticipation of when the prophecy's "80 banners" are reached.
Comments by US General Martin Dempsey on the possible need for ground forces have also been seized on by some as a signal, with supporters on Twitter using the hashtag: "It is Dabiq, by God."
In reference to the prophecy, one user simply posted: "When you despair of your air power, you will find us waiting in Dabiq."
Anjem Choudary, a radical British Islamist preacher who has expressed support for IS, said he did not believe Muslims sought to make the foretold battle a reality.
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Gallery: The Moment RAF Jet Attacks IS Truck
The RAF carried out its first airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq on 1 October, 2014 (All pictures: MoD)
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Tornados destroyed a heavy weapon position, which was attacking Kurdish forces, and an armed pick-up truck (pictured). The red circle shows the path of the missile fired at the vehicle
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The strikes were the first since MPs voted to support aerial raids in Iraq last Friday
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The targets were in the northwest of Iraq
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The moment the truck, which had a mounted machine gun, was destroyed by a Brimstone missile
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A plume of smoke rose above the area
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The strike was successful, according to an initial assessment, said Defence Secretary Michael Fallon
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The Tornados safely returned to their base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus after the sortie
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Six of the GR4 fighter jets are based on the island in the Mediterranean
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The aircraft began their combat missions on Saturday
"It could happen now; it could happen in the future," he said.
"I don't think any Muslim strives to bring it about."
But many IS supporters are convinced of the prophecy's validity, with one writing on Twitter: "Dabiq will happen for certain.
"The US and its allies will descend on Syria once they see that the air campaign has failed. That is a promise by God and his Messenger."
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