Syria bound London girls: Please come home, families plead

The families of two schoolgirls who are feared to have fled Britain to join Islamic State have issued heartfelt pleas urging them not to cross the border into Syria.
 

The missing teenagers are Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and a 15-year-old German girl, who has not been named at the request of her family. 
 

The trio, who all attended Bethnal Green Academy in east London, are now at the centre of an international hunt after being captured on airport CCTV on Tuesday. 

Today, Shamima Begum and Kadiza Sultana's families told the teenagers they are 'missed terribly' and urged them to not to cross the Turkish-Syrian border. 
 

But Twitter accounts linked to Islamic State have reportedly bragged that the girls are already in Syria.  
 

In a message to Shamima, her family said they understood she had 'strong feelings' for those she believed were suffering in the war-torn country but warned her that Syria is a 'dangerous place'.
 

They said: 'We miss you terribly and are extremely worried about you.

 

 

'Please, if you hear this message, get in touch and let us know you are safe. We want you home with us. You belong at home with us.

'Syria is a dangerous place and we don't want you to go there. Get in touch with the police and they will help to bring you home. You are not in any trouble. 'We understand that you have strong feelings and want to help those you believe are suffering in Syria. 

'You can help from home, you don't have to put yourself in danger. Please don't cross the border. Please come home to us. 
 

'Our Mum needs you home and is really worried. We are not mad at you, we love you.'
 

Kadiza Sultana's family said they are feeling 'completely distressed' since her disappearance. 
 

In an appeal, they said: 'Our dearest Kadiza and the two friends accompanying you.
 

'We, together, sincerely pray and hope this message reaches you. We pray that no harm comes to you, and you are all safe and in good health.
 

'We have come to learn that you and your friends went missing on Tuesday, 17 February and have been identified to be in Turkey.

 

 

'In your absence, we, as a family, are feeling completely distressed and cannot make sense of why you left home. Due to the speculation that you may be travelling towards Syria, we are extremely worried about your safety.