Missing British schoolgirls 'now at IS training camp in Raqqa'

 
Jihadi brides: Amira Abase, 15, was one of three London girls who travelled to Syria last month
Alexandra Rucki10 March 2015
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Three British schoolgirls who fled to Syria to join Islamic State are understood to have arrived at a IS training camp in Raqqa.

Shamima Begum, 15, Amira Abase, 15 and Kadiza Sultana, 16, went missing from their homes in east London two weeks ago after they were seen boarding a flight from Gatwick to Istanbul.

They are believed to be staying in a house with another 15-year-old British girl, who also attended Bethnal Green Academy in east London. She has not been identified by authorities.

The girls are said to have crossed from Turkey to Syria through the town of Arai.

Sky News reporter Stuart Ramsay reported: “We're being told tonight that they've crossed into Syria through a crossing... which is not too far from Kilis.”

Anti-IS campaign group, Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered, said the training camps teach young recruits how to use weapons and they are given intensive "ideological training".

Jihadi brides: Amira Abase, 15, was one of three London girls who travelled to Syria last month

The group reports there are two types of training - a 45 day boot camp used when IS are not involved in major battles or an 20 day intense camp, according to their sources.

After the 20 day boot camp the trainee jihadists are sent to a month long boot camp, before being thrust into battle.

Over the weekend it emerged the girls were handed letters to give to their parents explaining they would be questioned about their missing friend.

But the teenagers hid the letters from their families inside textbooks in their bedrooms.

Their parents have criticised Scotland Yard over the mishandling and said officers should have communicated directly with parents.

None of the girls were being monitored by counter-terrorism police, according to The Times.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said "with the benefit of hindsight" the letters should have been delivered directly to the families.

The police chief is due to give evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Committee tomorrow.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, is due to give evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Committee tomorrow.

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