Missing UK schoolgirls now married with IS fighters: Report

London, July 4

Two of three British schoolgirls who fled from Britain to Syria have reportedly married Islamic State (IS) group fighters.

Kadiza Sultana, 16, and 15-year-olds Shamima Begum and Amira Abase left their homes in February and flew to Istanbul before crossing into Syria.

Two of them contacted their families recently to say they have married men in ceremonies approved by IS and are living in and around the Syrian city of Raqqa, the group's stronghold, the Guardian reported.

At the families' request, the newspaper did not identify which two of the three had got married.

Tasnime Akunjee, who represents the families, told the newspaper that the news had "caused a lot of distress".

"It entrenches their lives in Syria, rather than in Britain. It erodes significantly hopes that they will come back," he said.

The paper reported that the two teenagers were given a "catalogue" of men to choose from and that their husbands were in their 20s.

All three girls attended the same school in east London.

Four other girls from the same school have been given a court order banning them from travelling abroad over fears they too could go to Syria. PTI