Shamima Begum Could Be Freed Within Weeks as Syrian Conflict Escalates
A former guard at a Syrian detention camp has issued a stark warning that Shamima Begum, the British-born woman who left London as a teenager to join ISIS, could be "running free within days" due to escalating military conflict in the region. The 26-year-old, who has been stripped of her British citizenship, remains detained at the Al-Roj camp in north-east Syria, but recent Turkish-backed advances have created uncertainty about the camp's security.
Camp Security Under Threat
The Kurdish-led Syrian Defence Force (SDF), which operates the detention facilities, has faced significant pressure from Turkish airstrikes and ground attacks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Syria's new government. A former Kurdish-Syrian guard told the Daily Express that if HTS and Turkish forces approach the prison camps, the SDF might release all prisoners to focus on defending their homes and families. "They will open the gates of hell," the guard warned, suggesting Begum's release could happen imminently.
Begum's Current Condition and Legal Battles
Journalists who recently visited the camp described Begum as appearing "pale and thin" behind a surgical mask, with somewhat sunken eyes. She is one of approximately 15 British or dual-national women held at the female camp, where detainees have reportedly packed their bags in anticipation of potential release. Begum's lawyers have appealed to the European Court of Human Rights after she lost a Court of Appeal challenge in 2024 over the removal of her citizenship.
Her journey to Syria began in 2015 when, at age 15, she fled Bethnal Green in London with two friends to join ISIS. She married Dutch-born Yago Riedijk, had three children who all later died, and claimed her husband was arrested for spying and tortured. The UK government revoked her citizenship in 2019, deeming her a threat to national security.
Mixed Sentiments Within the Camp
While some detainees, like another British woman who whispered "Get me out of here" to reporters, express regret and willingness to face consequences, others remain radicalised. An IS flag with the words "We will return" was recently drawn on a wall near the camp bakery, allegedly by children of militant mothers. Female camp manager Hekemiya Ibrahim noted that Begum rarely speaks or leaves her tent, keeping to herself.
Begum's Transformation and Personal Struggles
Over the years, Begum has undergone a visible transformation, abandoning Islamic dress for Western-style clothing purchased from camp shops or given by broadcasters. She stated she removed her hijab because it made her feel "constricted" and unhappy, insisting the change was for herself, not publicity. In a 2023 ITV documentary, she cried while discussing her children's deaths, revealing she had considered suicide due to grief.
Her family in the UK has repeatedly pleaded for mercy, with her sister Renu Begum describing how they made every "fathomable effort" to stop her from joining ISIS. However, former friend Sharmeena Begum, who inspired her initial departure, criticised her as a "failed ISIS bride" who was socially awkward and barely spoke Arabic.
Uncertain Future Amid Regional Turmoil
With Turkish-backed forces having reclaimed around 80% of previously Kurdish-controlled territory in north-east Syria, the fate of detainees at Al-Roj camp remains unclear. Begum's potential release could complicate her ongoing legal efforts to return to the UK, where she continues to seek reversal of her citizenship revocation. As conflict intensifies, the situation highlights the complex interplay between international security concerns, human rights, and the lingering legacy of ISIS recruitment.
