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Missing Teen Girls Suspected of Traveling to Syria Were Spotted in Turkey

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Three British teenagers who are suspected of traveling to Syria to join Islamist militants were spotted on camera in Turkey not long after they boarded a flight from London to Istanbul last month.

The missing girls, who are classmates, were seen on closed-circuit cameras at an Istanbul bus station on Feb. 18, CNN reported Sunday. Police said the girls got off the bus before it reached the final destination.

London’s Metropolitan Police said last week that they believe the girls — Shamima Begum, 15; Kadiza Sultana, 16; and Amira Abase, 15 — have already entered Syria. Before, their parents had publicly pleaded for them to come home, while British officials had encouraged Turkish media to urge them to return to the U.K.

Their disappearance has sparked tensions between the U.K. and Turkey, whose Deputy Prime Minister said last week it was “condemnable and shameful” that British authorities had allowed the girls to travel to Istanbul.

Go Inside an ISIS Gift Shop

Items of clothing and objects found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul. A western style tea mug with a millitant commaners portrait on the side.
A mug with a militant commander's portrait on the side, found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Items of clothing and objects found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul. A keyring with the iconography of the seal of the prophet, the iconography is also being used by the Islamic State IS.
A keyring with the iconography of the seal of the prophet, the iconography is also being used by the Islamic State IS. found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Head Bands featuring the islamic iconography of Jihad.
A head band featuring the islamic iconography of Jihad, found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Items of clothing and objects found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul.
A scarf found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Items of clothing and objects found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul. A badge to be sewn onto clothing featuring the current iconography of the Islamic State.
A badge to be sewn onto clothing featuring the current iconography of the Islamic State, found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
A long sleeve T-shirt  in the colours and iconography of the current iconography of Islamic State.
A long sleeve T-shirt with the iconography of Islamic State, found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Items of clothing and objects found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul. The black flag associated with Jihad or Al Raya - it has been a symbol of of religious fighting and battles since the founding of Islam in the 7th century. The Prophet Muhamed and manuy of his companions are said to have carried a similar blag flag into battle.
The black flag associated with Jihad or Al Raya - it has been a symbol of religious fighting and battles since the founding of Islam in the seventh century. Prophet Muhammad and many of his companions are said to have carried a similar flag into battle. This item was found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Head Bands featurinf the islamic iconography of Jihad.
Head band featuring the islamic iconography of Jihad, found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Items of clothing and objects found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul. A western style tea mug with the icopnography of Islamic State on the side.
A mug with the iconography of Islamic State on the side, found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Items of clothing and objects found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul. Jihad keyring.
Jihad keyring, found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Head Bands featurinf the islamic iconography of Jihad.
found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
Items of clothing and objects found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul. Suit lappel badge.
A suit lapel badge found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul. Guy Martin—Panos
Items of clothing and objects found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagicilar district of Istanbul. Mens cargo/millitary style tousers.
Military-style pants, found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos
The Caucasus Emirate Flag. A modified version of the one used by the unrecognized seccessionitst government of the chechen republic of Ichkeria was elected in 1991 but replaced by the caucaus Emirate in 2007.
A modified version of the Caucasus Emirate flag used by the unrecognized secessionist government of the Chechen republic of Ichkeria was elected in 1991 but replaced by the Caucasus Emirate in 2007. This item was found in a Islamic clothing and accessory shop in the Bagcilar district of Istanbul, Turkey.Guy Martin—Panos

[CNN]

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