People often comment on how advanced the social media tactics of the terrorist group known as the Islamic State are.
Last week though, it seems their strategy fell apart in the face of a truly fearsome enemy: the Italians.
After the Islamic State’s (or ISIS if you prefer) recent advance in Libya, the group now has militants just 300 miles from Italy’s Southern border.
After issuing a threat “to conquer Rome with Allah’s permission,” ISIS supporters took to twitter using the hashtag #We_Are_Coming_O_Rome. (Presumably they meant to say To_Rome, but that’s another conversation entirely.)
They also threatened to throw Italian “homosexuals” off the “Leaning Tower of Pizza”.
Having a chuckle at the #We_Are_Coming_O_Rome hashtag. Happy that Italians reply to the absurdity of this with irony. pic.twitter.com/LmeO7Z6sif
— Annalisa Manca (@AnnalisaManca) February 23, 2015
Not kidding.
So obviously, the Italians didn’t take this lying down. Instead they hijacked the hashtag and started giving travel advice to the would be invaders.
Check it out:
1) Don’t trust Alitalia with your luggage
Don't take @Alitalia! They'll check your carry-on and then lose all of your bags! #we_are_coming_o_romepic.twitter.com/h9h8Wnz1nW
— Dave Kelm (@dakelm) February 23, 2015
2) The traffic is really bad
#We_Are_Coming_O_Rome are you sure? pic.twitter.com/yNPVEO8Gzc
— Mauro Giulivi (@Giulivello) February 20, 2015
3) The trains aren’t any better
#We_Are_Coming_O_Rome hey just a tip: don't come in train, it's every time late!
— Giuseppe Di Chiara (@Giu_DiChiara) February 19, 2015
4) You’ll have to beat the Mafia and Super Mario first
You must defeat Mafia first, then Ndrangheta, Camorra and Taxes. After that Super Mario Got it? #we_are_coming_o_romepic.twitter.com/4QVZhD0XXM
— Mauro Iandolo (@iandolo) February 23, 2015
5) Don’t pay the guy on the street if you want to see the Pope
No matter what the hawkers say, you NEVER need to pay to see the Pope #We_Are_Coming_O_Rome
— V (@cwithta) February 23, 2015
6) At least it will mean work for unemployed “gladiators”
#We_Are_Coming_O_Rome Good! At least these guys will get their job back.. pic.twitter.com/7LEoLydbzJ
— gabriele immirzi (@gabrieleimmirzi) February 21, 2015
7) The gladiator meme seemed to be a crowd pleaser
#We_Are_Coming_O_Rome I'll alert the Gladiator! pic.twitter.com/mI7JaSNPBp
— Cathy Crawley (@Cathy_Crawley) February 21, 2015
8) Maybe next year
Awww #ISIS! You could've taken part in the annual santa bike ride if only you weren't so tardy #We_Are_Coming_O_Romepic.twitter.com/LUgal5x1lO
— V (@cwithta) February 23, 2015
9) A fair point
#We_Are_Coming_O_Rome and for Gods sake please don't feed the pigeons, they already shit everywhere
— Francesca (@FrancescaNZ) February 23, 2015
10) Truly a terrifying turn of events
Tomorrow is strike of public transport. Good luck. #We_Are_Coming_O_Rome
— Alessandro Cocco (@AleCocco84) February 19, 2015
Moral of the story for IS: if you’re going to troll an entire nation on twitter with threats of violence, maybe think through your messaging first.
That way you can avoid getting egg (pizza?) on your face.
For the rest of us, let’s remember that social media is a powerful format for a global exchange of ideas. And sometimes the best way to meet anger and hate is with a good laugh.