British teenager identified as IS suicide bomber
A British family on Sunday recognised the pictures of their son, named as Abu Yusuf al-Britani, posted on Islamic State-affiliated social media accounts.
“We can confirm that the photographs shown of a youth purportedly named Abu Yusuf al-Britani appears to show our 17-year-old son Talha," the family of Talha Asmal said in a statement issued by West Yorkshire police.
According to media reports, Asmal is believed to be one of the four suicide bombers, including a German, a Kuwaiti and a Palestinian, that took part in a suicide attack in Iraq's Salahuddin province.
"We are all naturally utterly devastated and heartbroken by the unspeakable tragedy that now appears to have befallen us," the family added.
The news makes Asmal the youngest British suicide bomber.
British security forces estimated that more than 700 Britons are thought to have travelled to Syria and Iraq in order to join the IS, including “Jihadi John”, who appeared in a series of videoed beheadings.
Also available to read:
700 Britons have travelled to Syria
Iraqi forces start operation against Islamic State in Anbar
Australia takes steps against Islamic State