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Teenage jihadi from Brighton killed in Syria | |
(35 minutes later) | |
One of the youngest British jihadis known to be fighting in Syria has died, his family have confirmed. | One of the youngest British jihadis known to be fighting in Syria has died, his family have confirmed. |
Jaffar Deghayes, from Saltdean, Brighton, was 16 when he left to fight alongside his two elder brothers, Abdullah and Amer, and friend Ibrahim Kamara. | Jaffar Deghayes, from Saltdean, Brighton, was 16 when he left to fight alongside his two elder brothers, Abdullah and Amer, and friend Ibrahim Kamara. |
His brother Abdullah, 18, was killed this year fighting in Latakia province in the north-east of the country. Kamara, 19, was believed to have died in a US air strike in late September, along with three other Britons of Bangladeshi origin from east London. All were fighting for Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaida’s Syrian affiliate. | His brother Abdullah, 18, was killed this year fighting in Latakia province in the north-east of the country. Kamara, 19, was believed to have died in a US air strike in late September, along with three other Britons of Bangladeshi origin from east London. All were fighting for Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaida’s Syrian affiliate. |
Jaffar’s death brings the number of British jihadis known to have been killed in the conflict to 25. Last week, two fighters from Portsmouth, Medhi Hassan and Manurnur Rahman, were killed fighting for Isis in the battle for Kobani. | Jaffar’s death brings the number of British jihadis known to have been killed in the conflict to 25. Last week, two fighters from Portsmouth, Medhi Hassan and Manurnur Rahman, were killed fighting for Isis in the battle for Kobani. |
Speaking to the Guardian, Jaffar’s father, Abubaker Deghayes, 46, confirmed the death. “All I know for the time being is that he was killed on Sunday in [Aleppo] area fighting Bashar [al-Assad].” He added that Jaffar’s dying words were the Islamic testament of faith. | Speaking to the Guardian, Jaffar’s father, Abubaker Deghayes, 46, confirmed the death. “All I know for the time being is that he was killed on Sunday in [Aleppo] area fighting Bashar [al-Assad].” He added that Jaffar’s dying words were the Islamic testament of faith. |
He described Jaffar’s actions as “a young man’s attempt, with scarce experience of life, to fight a tyrant [who is] massacring civilians under the watch of the whole world”. “I am very saddened,” he added. “Again, I seek comfort in the fact that his intention, hopefully, was to help oppressed people.” | He described Jaffar’s actions as “a young man’s attempt, with scarce experience of life, to fight a tyrant [who is] massacring civilians under the watch of the whole world”. “I am very saddened,” he added. “Again, I seek comfort in the fact that his intention, hopefully, was to help oppressed people.” |
Abubaker said he learned of his son’s death on Monday from Amer, who sent him a recorded message from Syria. | Abubaker said he learned of his son’s death on Monday from Amer, who sent him a recorded message from Syria. |
In April, Amer was shot in the stomach and watched Abdullah die under fire from forces loyal to the president, Bashar al-Assad, as they stormed a hill together. | In April, Amer was shot in the stomach and watched Abdullah die under fire from forces loyal to the president, Bashar al-Assad, as they stormed a hill together. |
Writing on his Facebook page, the boys’ uncle, Omar Deghayes, who spent several years incarcerated in Guantánamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, said: “As you grieve know that we are remembering you and honoring [sic] the memory of a sincere and truthful young man (deceased). May the peace which comes from Allah accept yours.” | Writing on his Facebook page, the boys’ uncle, Omar Deghayes, who spent several years incarcerated in Guantánamo Bay detention camp in Cuba, said: “As you grieve know that we are remembering you and honoring [sic] the memory of a sincere and truthful young man (deceased). May the peace which comes from Allah accept yours.” |
Omar, who spent nearly six years in Guantánamo but was a victim of mistaken identity, was later paid compensation by the government. | Omar, who spent nearly six years in Guantánamo but was a victim of mistaken identity, was later paid compensation by the government. |
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