This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/14/west-yorkshire-teenager-talha-asmal-britain-youngest-suicide-bomber
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| West Yorkshire teenager 'is Britain's youngest suicide bomber' | West Yorkshire teenager 'is Britain's youngest suicide bomber' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A teenager from West Yorkshire is believed to have become Britain’s youngest suicide bomber. | A teenager from West Yorkshire is believed to have become Britain’s youngest suicide bomber. |
| A young male named as Abu Yusuf al-Britani detonated a vehicle fitted with explosives in the northern Iraqi town of Baiji, according to a statement released by Isis-affiliated social media accounts on Saturday evening. | A young male named as Abu Yusuf al-Britani detonated a vehicle fitted with explosives in the northern Iraqi town of Baiji, according to a statement released by Isis-affiliated social media accounts on Saturday evening. |
| Pictures released by the terror group show Britani smiling as he stands beside a black Toyota SUV and appearing to be taking instructions from a commander while sitting on the floor. | Pictures released by the terror group show Britani smiling as he stands beside a black Toyota SUV and appearing to be taking instructions from a commander while sitting on the floor. |
| The person in the photos is understood to be 17-year-old Talha Asmal, from Dewsbury, who fled his home with a friend to allegedly join Isis in late March. | The person in the photos is understood to be 17-year-old Talha Asmal, from Dewsbury, who fled his home with a friend to allegedly join Isis in late March. |
| West Yorkshire police said on Sunday they were aware of the reports but have not publicly confirmed whether Britani is Asmal. | West Yorkshire police said on Sunday they were aware of the reports but have not publicly confirmed whether Britani is Asmal. |
| In April, Asmal’s family said the teenager boarded a flight to Turkey with his friend Hassan Munshi, also 17 at the time. | In April, Asmal’s family said the teenager boarded a flight to Turkey with his friend Hassan Munshi, also 17 at the time. |
| Isis statements on Saturday named Britani as one of four suicide bombers. The others were said to be a German, a Kuwaiti and a Palestinian. All four were photographed by Isis standing beside SUVs. | Isis statements on Saturday named Britani as one of four suicide bombers. The others were said to be a German, a Kuwaiti and a Palestinian. All four were photographed by Isis standing beside SUVs. |
| The suicide attacks are understood to have occurred in Iraq’s Salahuddin province, around one of the country’s largest oil refineries, as part of a larger military offensive by the militant group. | The suicide attacks are understood to have occurred in Iraq’s Salahuddin province, around one of the country’s largest oil refineries, as part of a larger military offensive by the militant group. |
| If the reports from Isis are corroborated, Asmal would be Britain’s youngest known suicide bomber. Another West Yorkshire teenager, Hasib Hussein, was almost 19 when he blew himself up on a London bus in the 7 July 2005 attacks. | If the reports from Isis are corroborated, Asmal would be Britain’s youngest known suicide bomber. Another West Yorkshire teenager, Hasib Hussein, was almost 19 when he blew himself up on a London bus in the 7 July 2005 attacks. |
| West Yorkshire police said: “The police have been made aware of media reports with regard to the death of a British national in Iraq. The identity of the person who has reportedly died has not been confirmed at this time and we are unable to comment further.” | West Yorkshire police said: “The police have been made aware of media reports with regard to the death of a British national in Iraq. The identity of the person who has reportedly died has not been confirmed at this time and we are unable to comment further.” |
| In April, the families of Asmal and Munshi issued an urgent appeal for their return, adding they were gravely worried the pair had joined Isis. | In April, the families of Asmal and Munshi issued an urgent appeal for their return, adding they were gravely worried the pair had joined Isis. |
| They described the teenagers as “two ordinary Yorkshire lads” with promising futures. “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. | They described the teenagers as “two ordinary Yorkshire lads” with promising futures. “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.” | “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.” |
| Speaking on Sunday, Asst Ch Con Russ Foster said: “As part of the Prevent initiative, West Yorkshire police is committed to working with communities and local authorities, to highlight the dangers associated with radicalisation and travel to regions such as Syria and Iraq. We are all working together to help identify vulnerable members of our society and intervene and engage them before it is too late. | |
| “If anyone has concerns that a friend or relative may be vulnerable to radicalisation, expressing extreme views or contemplating travelling to Syria or Iraq, it is vital that we work together to try and prevent that person from travelling. | “If anyone has concerns that a friend or relative may be vulnerable to radicalisation, expressing extreme views or contemplating travelling to Syria or Iraq, it is vital that we work together to try and prevent that person from travelling. |
| “Families are also encouraged to make contact with specially trained officers for help and advice by visiting preventtragedies.co.uk.” He said this was a newly created webpage, dedicated to being a “a one-stop shop for concerned families to visit if they would like further information or advice around this issue”. | |