UK police launch appeal to find Syria-bound schoolgirls

LONDON — British anti-terror police on Friday made an unprecedented appeal to find three girls who they believe are traveling to join militants in Syria as part of what officers said was a “growing trend.”

Richard Walton, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command, said he was “extremely concerned” for the well-being of the girls.

Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 17, and a third 15-year-old girl who is not being named at the request of her family, left their London homes on Tuesday and boarded a flight for Istanbul.

Worshipers at an East London mosque were asked to come forward with any information they may have to help track down the trio. The request was made during Friday night prayers at the mosque in Whitechapel.

A spokesman for the mosque told The Guardian that the sister of one of the girls had asked for their help.

“I told her that if you need anything from us just let us know and she said that all they need is our prayers and she started crying – that really upset me. I can empathize with them. The community here is quite close and this feels quite close to home,” said Salman Farsi.

Police believe the three close friends, who all attend Bethnal Green Academy in East London, are following the example of one of their friends, who fled to join the Islamic State terror group in December.

The three were interviewed at the time by detectives as to the possible whereabouts of their friend but were not considered at risk of leaving to join themselves, according to The Guardian.

Scotland Yard said their disappearance came as a surprise to their devastated families.

“There’s clearly a lot of encouragement going on by various groups in Syria to try and entice out young people, both young boys and young girls,” Walton told AFP.

“By definition it’s the vulnerable that are being enticed but these girls were not obviously vulnerable.

“Something, somewhere has happened to make them think it’s a good idea to go to Syria.”

Police believe that the three received support in planning the trip, but do not know the extent of their backing or if they have access to funding.

Counter-terrorism officials said the girls left their respective homes at about 8 a.m. on Tuesday, giving various reasons for their absence that day. One of the girls said she was going to study.

The three met at Gatwick airport and boarded a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul. According to The Guardian, the airline is facing questions as to why the girls were allowed to board by themselves and travel alone to this known path to IS territory.

An estimated 550 Western women have traveled to join the militants Iraq and Syria.

Despite being banned from fighting, a study last month found that many are active propagandists for the cause on social media, celebrating the brutal violence of IS militants, acting as recruiting sergeants and even encouraging attacks abroad.

The London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) report said that women in IS-ruled territory were expected to marry, keep house and bear children.