Shamima Begum: Unrecognizable in New Photos
Shamima Begum, now 26, appears unrecognizable in recently released images from a camp in northern Syria. The British-born woman, once known as the "ISIS bride," has not been seen publicly for years, apart from her appearance in a BBC documentary in 2023.
Begum was born and raised in Bethnal Green, London. At the age of 15 in 2015, she left the UK to join ISIS in Syria, becoming one of three East London schoolgirls to make the journey. Just ten days after arriving, she married an Islamic State fighter and later had three children, none of whom survived.
Her UK citizenship was revoked in 2019 on national security grounds. Since then, Begum has remained in the al-Roj detention camp, which is controlled by armed guards in northern Syria.
“ISIS bride” Shamima Begum now looks unrecognizable in new photos.
Begum has expressed regret for her decision to leave the UK at 15. She has pursued several legal challenges to regain her British citizenship, but all have been unsuccessful.
Author’s Summary
Shamima Begum’s life has dramatically changed since her departure from the UK at 15, and her current situation reflects the consequences of her controversial choices.