London schoolgirl who fled UK to join Isis 'killed in airstrike as she tried to escape'

Feared dead: Kadiza Sultana
EPA
Sebastian Mann12 August 2016

One of three east London schoolgirls who ran away to join Islamic State in Syria is believed to have been killed in an airstrike on Raqqa.

Kadiza Sultana abandoned her family aged 16 in February last year along with two friends Amira Base and Shamima Begum, who were both 15 at the time.

Today fears came to light that she had died during a Russian bombing raid on the Isis stronghold earlier this year as she tried to escape.

She was thought to have become disillusioned with life under the self-declared caliphate, ITV News reported.

Kadiza Sultana, 16, walking through security barriers at Gatwick Airport before flying to Turkey

In phonecalls with her sister Halima Khanom, heard by the broadcaster, she reportedly said: "I don't have a good feeling, like I feel scared."

Disappearance: Kadiza Sultana (centre) fled with Amira Abase (left) and Shamima Begum
PA

"If something goes wrong that's it."

The reports of her death, which ITV News said it had learned of through contacts in Syria, have not been independently verified.

In a statement, Kadiza's family said: "We were expecting this in a way. But at least we know she is in a better place.

"We do not wish her name to come up in the headlines again... She is gone and we would like to respect her wishes."

Kadiza and her friends, who were pupils at Bethnal Green Academy, are believed to have married IS fighters after making the long journey to Syria.

They are among about 800 Britons thought to have fled the UK to join IS and other militant groups in the region.

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