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West Yorkshire teenager 'is Britain's youngest suicide bomber' West Yorkshire family mourns ‘Britain’s youngest suicide bomber’
(about 3 hours later)
A teenager from West Yorkshire is believed to have become Britain’s youngest suicide bomber. The family of a West Yorkshireteenager, believed to have become Britain’s youngest suicide bomber, said they have been left “utterly devastated and heartbroken by the unspeakable tragedy”.
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 of Talha Asmal, 17, were released by Isis on Saturday, along with a statement saying that he detonated a vehicle fitted with explosives in the northern Iraqi town of Baiji. The militant group said his name was Abu Yusuf al-Britani but following media reports identifying the boy in the pictures as Asmal, his family released a statement on Sunday expressing their grief and anger.
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. “Talha was a loving, kind, caring and affable teenager,” they said. “He never harboured any ill-will against anybody nor did he ever exhibit any violent, extreme or radical views of any kind. Talha’s tender years and naivety were, it seems however, exploited by persons unknown, who, hiding behind the anonymity of the worldwide web, targeted and befriended Talha and engaged in a process of deliberate and calculated grooming of him.
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. “Whilst there it appears that Talha fell under the spell of individuals who continued to prey on his innocence and vulnerability to the point where if the press reports are accurate he was ordered to his death by so-called Isis handlers and leaders too cowardly to do their own dirty work.
West Yorkshire police said on Sunday they were aware of the reports but have not publicly confirmed whether Britani is Asmal. “We are all naturally utterly devastated and heartbroken by the unspeakable tragedy that now appears to have befallen us.”
In April, Asmal’s family said the teenager boarded a flight to Turkey with his friend Hassan Munshi, also 17 at the time. The family said that Isis did not represent Islam or Muslims “in any way, shape of form”.
In April, they said the teenager boarded a flight to Turkey with his friend Hassan Munshi, also 17 at the time. The families of both boys issued an urgent appeal for their return, adding they were gravely worried the pair had joined Isis.
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 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.
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.”
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.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”.“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”.