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Syria crisis: 9 Britons arrested in Turkey trying to cross border Syria crisis: 9 Britons arrested in Turkey 'trying to cross border'
(34 minutes later)
Turkey's military says that nine British citizens have been arrested trying to cross into Syria. Turkish security forces say they have arrested nine British nationals as they illegally attempted to cross into Syria.
The military says they were taken into custody in Hatay province, but a statement Wednesday didn't say when. The Britons, whose intentions remain unclear, were arrested near the souther province of Hatay province on the Turkish border with Syria, the Turkish military said in a statement on Wednesday.
The nine are among a spate of recent cases of British citizens heading to Syria through Turkey, some successful, some not. Last month, in two separate incidents, a 21-year-old woman and three British girls were detained after arriving in Turkey. The UK Foreign Office has said it is investigating reports that Turkish authorities detained the suspects as they tried to cross the border into the conflict zone.
Three British schoolgirls traveled in February from the U.K. to Turkey, from where they are believed to have crossed into Syria. A spokesman said: "We are aware of the reports and are looking into them."
Associated Press The arrest comes after at least four men and women were detained at the Turkish-Syria border last month, amid an international manhunt for three schoolgirls who left the UK in February.
Bethnal Green Academy pupils, Shamima Begum, Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana are now feared to be inside Syria after they flew to Turkey using a route often used by those entering Syria.
It is understood they were following another 15-year-old girl who travelled to the war-torn nation in December.
Thousands of foreigners have joined the ranks of Isis -which has established a so-called Islamic State across parts of Iraq and Syria - as well other radical groups in the two nations. Many of these potential fighters and 'jihadi brides' have entered via Turkey.
The Metropolitan Police believe around 600 Britons have travelled to Syria and Iraq since the conflict began, while around half are believed to have returned to the UK.
Turkey has faced criticism for not better controlling its southeastern borders, and in turn has accused European countries of failing to prevent would-be jihadists from travelling.
Additional reporting by Reuters and PA