Revealed: Aussie ISIS fighter's latest sick propaganda post using his son
WARNING, DISTURBING CONTENT: Seven News has obtained the latest image of Australian Islamic State terrorist Khaled Sharrouf subjecting one of his children to the horrors of war.
The image, which may be evidence that the Australian is still alive, shows Sharrouf's youngest son smiling as he poses with a man's body - strung up with cable ties on a cross.
Around his neck, a sign reading: "The crime: collaborating with Christians... The punishment: execution".
Australian National University counter-terrorism expert Clarke Jones said it is a "tragedy to see such young kids in that sort of environment ... put in front of that type of barbarity".
Australian Counter Terrorism police say they are: "investigating an image emanating from the Middle East depicting a minor making threats in the name of ISIS".
The boy and his siblings are among 70 children of Australian foreign fighters believed to be in Syria and Iraq.
Dr Jones said: "I think it would be a very difficult operation to try and bring the kids out".
"But if you could bring the kids back I think there are great prospects for rehabilitation for kids that young."
Meanwhile, it has been revealed another Australian fighter has been hit in a US airstrike.
Jackaroo turned jihadi Guy Staines, is believed to have been killed in the past fortnight.
Without troops on the ground, Australian authorities have limited capacity to confirm deaths in the war zone.
But from above, the war on Islamic States continues, with the US Department of Defense confirming 18 coalition air strikes this weekend alone.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia has the third-largest foreign commitment to the battle against Islamic State.
"Our forces are working together and integrated intimately."
