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Friday 7 November 2014

Islamic State crisis: The 13-year-old on 'righteous path'

Mohamed's brother was trained to fight by the al-Nusra group in Syria
BBC News, Turkey-Syria border

In a cramped living room in southern Turkey, a 13-year-old boy is training to join Islamic State.

As he welcomes us in, he appears a regular, happy-looking child: his hair is ruffled, his smile beaming, he wears a grey, hooded sweater.

But as we sit down to talk, he heads next door to change, returning in a black balaclava and military-style camouflage top.

He wants to be known as "Abu Hattab".

Born in Syria, he was first radicalised last year, joining the jihadist group Sham al-Islam.
'Behead them'

He had Sharia lessons and learned how to use weapons, proudly showing us pictures in which he takes aim with machine guns.

Now he spends his days online, watching jihadist videos and chatting on Facebook to IS fighters.

Within weeks, he says, he'll go to the IS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria to become a young jihadi soldier.

"I like Islamic State because they pursue Sharia and kill infidels, non-Sunnis and those who converted from Islam," he says.

"The people killed by Islamic State are American agents. We must behead them as Allah said in the Koran."

I ask whether he has disclosed his age to those to whom he talks online.

"At the start, I didn't," he says.

"But recently I told them - and now they contact me even more, sending me photos and news."

But why not simply enjoy his childhood, I ask?

"I don't want to go out with friends or have fun. Allah ordered us to work and fight for the next life - for paradise. Before, I went to the park or the seaside.

"But then I realised I was wrong - and I've taken the righteous path."
'Evil powers'

His family now lives in Turkey - so would he launch an attack here, or in Britain for example?

"Britain should be attacked because it's in Nato and is against Islamic State," he says, "but we would kill only those who deserve it. If they ask me to attack Turkey and give me a holy order, I would do it. Soon the West will be finished."

At home, he and his mother, who wants to be known as Fatima, lead a devout life.

She spends much of her time studying the Koran and admits strong sympathies for the militants.

Last year, she sent her son for training with Sham al-Islam - but denies brainwashing him.

"I never encouraged him to join Islamic State," she insists.

"I support some of their beliefs but not others. But I think they came to help the Syrian people - unlike the evil powers around the world."
'Future leader'

If she's not encouraging him, I ask, what is she doing to stop her son losing his childhood to extreme violence?

"I can't stop him if he wants to fight," she says.

"War makes children grow up fast. I want him to become a future leader - an emir."

Steadily her voice grows in intensity, her eyes narrowing in anger above the scarf she uses to cover her face.

"I would not be sad if he killed Westerners. I'm ashamed that my other sons are working peacefully for civil society groups - they must take up arms."

How would she feel, I ask, if he dies fighting for Islamic State?

She pauses. "I would be so happy," she replies, before bowing her head to cry.

Read More: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29921816

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