British police are appealing for information about three teenage girls who left the country in a suspected bid to travel to Syria to join the Islamic State extremist group. Scotland Yard said Friday the three teenagers — Shamima Begum, Kadiza Sultana and a third unidentified girl, all aged 15 to 16 — flew to Istanbul, Turkey from a London airport Tuesday without leaving any messages for family or friends. Commander Richard Walton, head of the force's counterterror command, said the girls are good friends of another 15-year-old girl who left for Syria in December. He said the force was becoming increasingly concerned about a growing trend of girls and young women showing an interest in joining the Islamic State group.
