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Syria fears over Bradford family missing after Saudi pilgrimage | Syria fears over Bradford family missing after Saudi pilgrimage |
(35 minutes later) | |
Three sisters from Bradford are feared to have travelled to Syria with their nine children after going on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. | Three sisters from Bradford are feared to have travelled to Syria with their nine children after going on a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. |
The sisters and their children, aged between three and 15, were due back in the UK on Thursday, Khan Solicitors said on behalf of the family. | The sisters and their children, aged between three and 15, were due back in the UK on Thursday, Khan Solicitors said on behalf of the family. |
Ten are thought to have boarded a flight to Istanbul in Turkey on 9 June. | Ten are thought to have boarded a flight to Istanbul in Turkey on 9 June. |
Lawyer Balaal Khan confirmed concerns about them "travelling to Syria". West Yorkshire Police is investigating. | Lawyer Balaal Khan confirmed concerns about them "travelling to Syria". West Yorkshire Police is investigating. |
'Extremely worried' | 'Extremely worried' |
There has been no contact since 9 June from mother-of-two Khadija Dawood, 30, mother-of-five Sugra Dawood, 34, and mother-of-two Zohra Dawood, 33, after they left Medina in Saudi Arabia. | There has been no contact since 9 June from mother-of-two Khadija Dawood, 30, mother-of-five Sugra Dawood, 34, and mother-of-two Zohra Dawood, 33, after they left Medina in Saudi Arabia. |
Their mobile telephones have not been active and their social media profiles have not been updated since then. | Their mobile telephones have not been active and their social media profiles have not been updated since then. |
According to the solicitors, it is thought the group travelled to Syria where a brother of the three sisters is understood to be fighting with extremists. It is feared they have met up with him. | |
Police neither confirmed nor denied the claim. | Police neither confirmed nor denied the claim. |
The family travelled to Medina on 28 May. It is thought 10 of them boarded the flight to Istanbul, but no details have been found for five-year-old Nurah Zubair and her sister Haafiyah Zubair, eight, boarding the same flight. | |
Missing children | Missing children |
In a statement released by their solicitors, the Dawood family said they were "extremely worried" and felt helpless. | In a statement released by their solicitors, the Dawood family said they were "extremely worried" and felt helpless. |
'Children's lives in danger' | 'Children's lives in danger' |
Mr Khan, acting for the fathers of the missing children, said: "One of the possibilities is they travelled to Turkey to travel to Syria. | Mr Khan, acting for the fathers of the missing children, said: "One of the possibilities is they travelled to Turkey to travel to Syria. |
"The suspicion, and main concern, is that the women have taken their children to Syria." | "The suspicion, and main concern, is that the women have taken their children to Syria." |
He said the fathers were "concerned that their children's lives are in danger". | He said the fathers were "concerned that their children's lives are in danger". |
"[They] are distraught, they feel helpless and they don't know what to do. They want the children out of harm's way." | "[They] are distraught, they feel helpless and they don't know what to do. They want the children out of harm's way." |
Police were notified five or six days ago but were limited in what they could do because it was out of their jurisdiction, he added. | Police were notified five or six days ago but were limited in what they could do because it was out of their jurisdiction, he added. |
West Yorkshire Police has contacted the Turkish authorities, however there have been no sightings or contacts made in Turkey, a country commonly used to as a route into Syria. | West Yorkshire Police has contacted the Turkish authorities, however there have been no sightings or contacts made in Turkey, a country commonly used to as a route into Syria. |
The force said it was supporting the family and working "extensively with authorities overseas to try and locate them". | The force said it was supporting the family and working "extensively with authorities overseas to try and locate them". |
Appealing for information, Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster said: "Our priority is for their safe return; their families are gravely worried about them and want them home. | Appealing for information, Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster said: "Our priority is for their safe return; their families are gravely worried about them and want them home. |
"One of our primary concerns is the safety and welfare of the young children." | "One of our primary concerns is the safety and welfare of the young children." |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are in contact with West Yorkshire Police and Turkish authorities and are ready to provide consular assistance." |