Talha Asmal: teen 'becomes Britain's youngest suicide bomber'
The 17-year old from Dewsbury reportedly detonated a vehicle full of explosives in Iraq after joining Islamic State
Relatives of a British teenager who reportedly carried out a suicide attack in Iraq has said they are "utterly devastated and heartbroken by the unspeakable tragedy".
Talha Asmal, a 17-year old from Dewsbury, is believed to have detonated a vehicle fitted with explosives near a major oil refinery in the northern Iraqi town of Baiji. At least 11 people are reported to have died in the attack.
If confirmed, Asmal would become Britain's youngest suicide bomber. Hassib Hussein, another teenager from West Yorkshire, was 18 when he detonated a bomb on a London bus in the 7/7 attacks on the capital.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The teenager fled his home at the end of March with friend Hassan Munshi, who was also 17 at the time. He reportedly travelled to Iraq via Turkey before joining Islamic State.
His parents said he came "from a close-knit, hard-working, peace-loving and law-abiding British Muslim family" which "condemns and abhors all acts of violence wherever perpetrated".
They said Asmal had never exhibited any violent, extreme or radical views and that his "tender years and naivety" were exploited by jihadists who "targeted and befriended Talha and engaged in a process of deliberate and calculated grooming of him."
Asmal's former principal at Mirfield Free Grammar and Sixth Form told The Times he was a "conscientious student" and a "very quiet and private" boy who never drew attention to himself. Lorraine Barker said the staff and students were in complete shock when Asmal left for Iraq earlier this year.
His family added that IS did not represent Islam or Muslims "in any way, shape or form" and urged others who fear their relatives might be becoming radicalised to contact the authorities.
West Yorkshire Police said they were aware of the claims, but said Asmal's identity had not been officially confirmed. Authorities believe at least 700 Britons have travelled to the region to join IS and other extremist organisations, the BBC reports.
Shahid Malik, former MP for Dewsbury and a family friend of the Asmals, said it was "disturbing" to see how relaxed the teenager appeared in photographs published by IS reportedly taken just before the attack. In one of the images, Asmal is seen smiling and giving the Islamic State one finger salute.
"He looks at peace. It's like he's ready to go and meet his maker," Malik said. "This is a clear indication of just how successful the evil Isis groomers have been in poisoning and brainwashing Talha and kids like him."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
How Islamic State bombings in Iran could escalate regional war
The Explainer Terrorist group claims responsibility for deadly blasts on 'irredeemable foe' but Tehran likely to ramp up anti-US rhetoric
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The deadly attacks on Syrian truffle hunters
feature Islamic State suspected of targeting Syrians risking their lives to secure much-needed income
By The Week Staff Published
-
Will the Kabul bombing lock Joe Biden into a ‘forever war’ against Isis?
In Depth President vows revenge against extremists following airport suicide attack
By The Week Staff Published
-
Does the withdrawal of US combat troops mean it’s ‘mission accomplished’ in Iraq?
In Depth President strikes deal with Iraqi PM to end two decades of fighting
By The Week Staff Published
-
RAF air strike kills Isis fighters hiding in Iraqi caves
Speed Read Defence minister pledges to continue ‘relentless’ fight against jihadists
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Amir al-Mawli: who is the new Isis leader?
In Depth Terror group’s head thought to have been behind 2014 genocide of Yazidis in Iraq
By Gabriel Power Last updated
-
Taliban overtakes Isis as world’s deadliest terror group
Speed Read New research reveals near doubling of Taliban attacks in single year
By The Week Staff Last updated