Hacking group Anonymous has claimed the Third World War will strike this year or next because of tensions on the Korean peninsula.

"Prepare for what comes next," the group warned in a video published to its YouTube channel as it suggested a conflict would be "globally devastating, both on the environmental and economic levels".

It said: "All the signs of a looming war on the Korean peninsula are surfacing. Watching as each country moves strategic pieces into place, but unlike past world wars, although there will be ground troops, the battle is likely to be fierce, brutal and quick.

"This is a real war with global consequences, with three superpowers drawn into the mix. Other nations will be coerced into choosing sides."

One of the group's Guy Fawkes-masked members provided the backdrop for robotic speech software narration.

Its video cited reports of China telling its citizens to leave North Korea, recent US tests of its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles and US military deployments to Australia in making its claim of "looming" war.

It continued: "The Chinese are desperate to avert a war. Economically, it would put them back behind the eight-ball as they deal with an influx of refugees over the border and the very real threat of a devastating war.

"Only this week, after many pleas to both the US and North Korea to refrain from escalating already decades-high tensions, Chinese officials told them to stop irritating each other. The pragmatic Chinese, it seems, are starting to lose their patience."

The group questioned whether Japan, a potential target for North Korean missiles and a US ally, would pre-empt an attack by the Kim regime over "the threat of ICBM provocation".

In pictures: North Korea military drill Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: North Korea military drill In pictures: North Korea military drill North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un watches a military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) is seen in this handout photo by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill A military drill marking the 85th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean People's Army (KPA) KCNA/Handout via REUTERS In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video In pictures: North Korea military drill This image made from video of still images broadcast in a news bulletin by North Korea's KRT, shows what was said to be a 'Combined Fire Demonstration' held to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the North Korean army, in Wonsan, North Korea. KRT via AP Video

Finally, it said: "The unpredictable Donald Trump has said it would be an honour to meet with Kim Jong-un but Spicer downplayed the comment as unlikely to come to fruition any time soon.

"But when President Trump starts reaching out to those like President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines to ensure they are on the same page, then one must start to wonder. However, even Duterte has advised the US to back away from Kim Jong-un.