Islamic State: four-year-old British boy 'detonates bomb'
London-born Isa Dare appears to blow up car with three men inside in latest propaganda video
A four-year-old British boy has been filmed apparently detonating a car bomb and killing three men in the latest Islamic State propaganda video.
The boy is believed to be Isa Dare from London, who was taken to Syria by his Nigerian-born mother, Grace, in 2012. It is the second time he has appeared in an IS film.
The film shows Isa standing next to a masked jihadi with his hand apparently on the detonator of a car bomb. "We are going to kill the kuffar [non-believers] over there," the boy says, pointing to three men dressed in orange jumpsuits in a car behind them.
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.
After the vehicle explodes, Isa shouts: "Allahu Akbar," with his fist raised in the air.
At one point, the man next to Isa, who also speaks with a British accent, addresses Prime Minister David Cameron, saying: "You will never fight us except behind fortified fortresses or behind walls."
He also references the UK's decision to launch air strikes in Syria. "You authorised for your men, thousands of miles away, to push a button to kill our brothers who lived in the West. So today, we're going to kill your spies the same way they helped you kill our brothers."
The man then puts his hand on Isa's head and says: "Prepare your army and gather your nations as we, too, are preparing our army."
The eight-minute video is believed to have been filmed in the terrorist group's de facto capital of Raqqa, in Syria.
Isa's grandfather, Henry, who lives in south-east London, told The Times the young boy had made a plea for help during a phone call home. "Please save me," he said.
Asked if his grandson was aware of what he was saying and doing, Dare replied: "No. He's a kid. He's acting under the influence of Isis guerrillas. He's propaganda."
Haras Rafiq, from the counter-extremism think-tank, the Quilliam Foundation, said the videos represented a "major form of abuse" and estimated that more than 50 children had been taken from the UK to Syria.
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
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'Another day of chaos in DC'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The issue of women and conscription
Under the radar Ukraine military adviser hints at widening draft to women, as other countries weigh defence options amid global insecurity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK 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
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 years
Speed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published