Missing British Schoolgirls Were Traveling To Syria To Join ISIS
Three missing British schoolgirls could be on their way to Syria to join ISIS militants. London authorities said Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and an unidentified 15-year-old girl left their homes early Wednesday morning. They then traveled to Gatwick Airport, where they boarded a plane to Istanbul, Turkey.
Authorities are concerned, as the teens left London without permission and did not tell anyone about their travel plans. Officials with the Scotland Yard Counter Terrorism Command suspect the missing British schoolgirls are on their way to Syria, where they will join ISIS militants.
Kadiza Sultana is a British citizen, who is fluent in English and Bengali. Authorities said she speaks with a London accent. As reported by Mashable, the 16-year-old girl “is described as being 5’6? tall and of slim build.”
Sulatana was last seen wearing red pants, a grey shirt, a long black hooded jacket, a striped grey scarf, and dark-rimmed glasses. Officials said she was also carrying a black handbag.
Shamima Begum is a British citizen who speaks English with a London accent. She is also fluent in Bengali. Authorities noted that the 15-year-old may be traveling under the pseudonym Aklima Begum.
Begum was last seen wearing black pants, a red or purple shirt, a dark jacket, a leopard print scarf, dark-rimmed glasses, and a black hijab. She was reportedly carrying a blue handbag with white straps.
Commander Walton: This is not about criminalising people, this is about preventing tragedies. Please contact us on 0800 789 321
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 20, 2015
The third missing British teen was not named at the request of her family. The 15-year-old was last seen wearing black pants, a yellow shirt, a dark green jacket, and a black head scarf.
Officials said the teen was also wearing dark-rimmed glasses and was carrying a “Nike” handbag. Authorities said the teen speaks English and Amharic fluently.
Cmdr Richard Walton SO15 Counter Terrorism Command: Extremely concerned for safety of these three girls – our priority is their safe return
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 20, 2015
During a press conference, authorities confirmed the missing British schoolgirls are students at Bethnal Green Academy, which is currently on break.
Metropolitan Police Commander Richard Walton said it is unclear how or when the teens purchased their flight tickets. As reported by the Mirror, he believes all three are currently somewhere in Turkey.
“We are reaching out to the girls using the Turkish media and social media in the hope that Shamima, Kadiza and their friend hear our messages, hear our concerns for their safety and have the courage to return to their families who are so worried about them.”
Authorities hope they can reach the missing British schoolgirls before they make it to Syria.
[Images via Mashable and thomas koch / Shutterstock.com]
