Cubs of the Caliphate: ISIS issuing moms' guidebook to raising 'jihadi babies'

© SITE Intel Group

“Cubs of the Caliphate.” Children pose for a photograph in a training camp near Damascus, Syria, December 6, 2014

The Islamic State has released a guidebook for young mothers with "helpful tips" on how to raise a Mujahid Child, outlining techniques they believe will develop the body and jihadi spirit of the new generation of extremist fighters.

Entitled , the latest propaganda move by the extremist organization tries to convince their loyal followers that the "most important" role women can play in Jihad is to raise their kids "not only in spirit", but also to develop their physical ability and training.

The key to success, IS argues lies in introducing these values in them while they are babies. "Don't wait until they are seven to start, for it may be too late by then!," the handbook that recently surfaced online states.

It encourages the jihadi mothers to tell bedtime stories about extremist fighters, while completely banning TV, which the guide says results in "mental and physical loss." The only thing it allows, is the use of multimedia that will strengthen their "jihadi spirit."

In order to get children "interested in jihad" and encourage them to "become like Mujahideen" the handbook suggests "getting military books (preferably with pictures) and other similar books, CDs, videos, and by visiting web sites along with your children, and utilizing other internet resources."

In addition, the handbook advises mothers to make "a makeshift enemy" or a punching bag for building the child's strength and to "control and direct their anger."

In terms of physical training, IS encourages mothers to introduce their young ones to "target-shooting", through toy guns and toy military sets. The Islamic State argues that darts, for instance, develops a good hand-eye coordination. Adding military games, the guidebook says, should increase the toddler's interest in military matters and will allow practice time of mothers in front of their kids using their toys.

IS also believes that complete child soldiers should also be able to perform martial arts, be capable swimmers, drivers and horse-back riders with refined archery skills. Ability to navigate oneself in an unfamiliar environment is also expected, with camping encouraged.

American Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), says the publication of the guidebook, is done to gain the West's attention.

"It is important for the West to understand that all these groups want the world to know that this indoctrination is taking place," Steven Stalinsky, executive director of MEMRI, told the . "As we move into 2015, Al-Qaeda and its affiliates, ISIS, and other jihadi groups worldwide continue to invest a lot of effort in indoctrination of the next generation of fighters."

Stalinsky says that no matter how the US offensive against IS plays out in Syria and Iraq, "the next generation" of Muslim youth have already been "brainwashed to hate the West and to strive for jihad and martyrdom."

"They have been trained on the battlefield and know how to create bombs and suicide belts and to behead and crucify the innocent. This is something we must be prepared for and understand," Stalinsky says.

The authors of the textbook are unknown, but apparently, their child upbringing ideology is in full swing.

Last month, IS published photos and videos of children firing AK-47s. It also shows kids assembling weapons and standing in formation at the "Cubs of the Caliphate" training camp in Syria.

According to UN report back in November, entitled "Rule of Terror: Living under ISIS in Syria," the Islamic State has "instrumentalized and abused children on a systematic scale," using them for combat, spying, and even as suicide bombers.

The UN believes that "ISIS prioritizes children as a vehicle for ensuring long-term loyalty," and that by raising them in strict adherence to jihadist believes will ensure "cadre of devoted fighters that will see violence as a way of life."

Human Rights Watch announced in June that armed groups including IS fighters are "recruiting" kids as young as 13 in Syria, training them with weapons and sending them into battle.

The publication of the new guidebook comes after reports of an Italian mother noticing a picture of her son in an IS propaganda poster that surfaced in the media. Lidia Herrera claims that the boy, who is now three, is being raised by extremists after his father - who kidnapped son and joined militants - died fighting in Syria. Italian police are now investigating the image, and are looking into a group of extremists that are known to recruit for terror groups in northern Italy.