Two boys aged 17 ‘travel to Syria from Dewsbury’
Two missing teenagers, including the brother of Britain’s youngest convicted terrorist, may have already been in Syria for a week, it has emerged.
The two 17-year-olds, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, have been missing since last Tuesday when they are believed to have flown to Turkey.
It is feared the pair, understood to be Hassan Mushni and Talha Asmal, are the latest youngsters to travel to Syria.
Hassan is the younger brother of Hammaad Mushni, who in 2008 became Britain’s youngest convicted terrorist.
He was just 15 and studying for his GCSEs when he was arrested in 2006 as part of a suspected terror cell planning to kill non-believers.
He was later convicted and sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution.
The families of Hassan Munshi and Talha Asmal, the two teenage boys who are believed to have travelled to Syria, have said they are in “a state of profound shock” and are praying for the safe return of the “ordinary Yorkshire lads”.
They said: “We would implore all parents to be extra vigilant, although as we found, it’s near impossible to know your children have been groomed and brainwashed. Syria is a frightening war torn place and we need to urgently educate our young children about the dangers posed by those who prey on impressionable teenagers.”
“Naturally, we are in a state of profound shock and are trying to come to terms with the predicament we find ourselves in and we hope and pray that no other family finds itself in our situation.”
“These were just two ordinary Yorkshire lads who enjoyed the things that all young people enjoy at their age – both Hassan and Talha had a promising future as an apprentice and an A level student respectively, and we are praying they will be back with us soon and are able to realise that future.”
The brothers’ grandfather, Yakub Munshi, is a leading Islamic scholar in Dewsbury who has regularly spoken out against terrorism.
He was also the driving force behind the creation of Dewsbury’s first Sharia court.
Dewsbury is the home town of Mohammad Sidique Khan, the leader of the group responsible for the 7 July bombings in London.
Hassan and Talha, who are neighbours, were last seen by their families last Tuesday morning.
Police believe they boarded a flight from Manchester airport to Dalaman in Turkey that evening, meaning they could already be in Syria.
It is understood their families did not raise the alarm until Wednesday evening at which point the police immediately alerted the Turkish authorities but to no avail.
It is feared more than 600 Britons have travelled to Syria, including teenage boys and girls, with many planning to join Isil.
West Yorkshire Police assistant chief constable Mark Milsom said: “We are extremely concerned for the safety of these two boys and would urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to us.
“Syria is an extremely dangerous place and the public will be aware of the dangers these boys may face.
“The choice of returning home from Syria is often taken away from those that come under the control of Islamic State, leaving their families in the UK devastated and with very few options to secure their safe return.”
Officers have been supporting the families since the pair were reported missing and the North East Counter Terrorism Unit is also investigating.
Mr Milsom said: “Our priority is for their safe return; their families are gravely worried about them and want them home.”
He added: “This is not about criminalising people. It is about preventing tragedies by offering support to communities, families, young and vulnerable people.”
Kirklees Council chief executive Adrian Lythgo said: “We are deeply concerned for these young people and will continue to work in close partnership with the Counter Terrorism Unit, West Yorkshire Police, our communities and schools to prevent and eradicate any threats and concerns.
“We need to talk openly about these risks that are posed to our young people, and to work together to protect them. Communities and families can contact police about anyone they feel may be vulnerable.
“This includes anyone who is showing signs of becoming radicalised, who may have returned to the UK from Syria or may be planning to go to Syria or another conflict zone.”
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