“Everyone has a role to play” in countering the radicalisation of young people, said British Prime Minister David Cameron as the search continues for three missing schoolgirls, believed to be heading for Syria.
Amira Abase, Kadiza Sultana and Shamima Begum left for Istanbul on February 17, believed to have been enticed online by extremists.
On February 15, a Twitter account in Shamima’s name was used to contact 20-year-old Aqsa Mahmood. The Scottish national joined ISIL and married one of its militants and now actively encourages other girls to join her in Syria.
The UK is coordinating closely with Turkish officials. But on Monday (February 23), Turkey’s deputy prime minister said Britain would be responsible if the girls are not found.
Questions have been raised about how the girls managed to leave for Istanbul – a well-worn route to Syria. Shamima is believed to have travelled on her older sister’s passport, leading for MPs to call for tighter border controls.
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