Shamima Begum allegedly planning escape from Syria using people smugglers

24 February 2026 , 09:36

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Shamima Begum allegedly planning escape from Syria using people smugglers

Shamima Begum is reportedly planning to use people smugglers to help her return to Britain, according to messages from within her camp.

The 26-year-old has been detained at the al-Roj detention facility in Syria since 2019 after she initially left the UK to join Islamic State when she was 15.

She was married to an IS fighter and was stripped of her British citizenship in February 2019 on grounds of posing a threat to national security.

All her legal attempts in the UK to overturn that decision have since failed.

Begum, originally from East London, is now reportedly planning to use contacts to smuggle her out along with an American former jihadi, as reported by the Express.

Journalist Andrew Dury, who has interviewed Begum six times at al-Roj, claims he has received messages in recent weeks outlining an alleged escape plan.

Mr. Drury is said to have received a series of texts from Hoda Muthana, Shamima’s friend in the camp who also had her citizenship stripped for joining ISIS.

Seemingly acting as Shamima’s fixer, Hoda has asked for thousands of US dollars using the code word "gummies," as well as British pounds, which she referred to as "mints," to help pay people smugglers to free both women from the camp.

Hoda also allegedly outlined a plan for the ex-ISIS brides to cross the border into Turkey to "get to our embassies," believing this would force the UK Government to act.

In one message, Hoda writes: "Bring five thousand gummy bears with you, the American brand is better."

In another, she adds: "S (Shamima) also likes mints, about the same amount, but better you come and give it so half the bag isn’t taken."

Hoda claimed the UK would "eventually let" Begum back in once "Turkey deports her."

Speaking about the messages, Mr. Drury told the publication: "I’m not going to give a terrorist, or somebody I consider a terrorist, money.

"I understand her wanting to get out of the camp in desperation, but she and Hoda seem to be trying to manipulate people financially to help them, who knows who they are paying money to."

David Wilson

Politics Editor