Family fears over missing Syria girl Yusra Hussien, 15

The family of a missing 15-year-old who is thought to have travelled to Syria fear they may never see her again.

Yusra Hussien, from Bristol, took an indirect flight to Turkey two weeks ago and is believed to be travelling with Samya Dirie, 17, from London.

Aunt Sucdi Ali said the family was preparing for a "worst case scenario" that she might not come home.

Miss Ali also revealed that Yusra had communicated with friends on Facebook since she went missing.

In an interview with the BBC, Miss Ali said Yusra had told friends online that she "can't disclose" her location or what she is doing.

"She's said 'I've moved on, I'm living a happy life and I'm safe and happy'," her aunt said.

Yusra has not contacted her family since she went missing.

Yusra Hussien has been described as a "happy girl"

But Miss Ali said she still had "hope that she might return" and that she would realise that what she was doing was "not the correct thing to do".

"If she is in Syria, she is in a danger place. She's a child, she's 15, she's never been alone away from her family.

"You know the situation in Syria - it's not good, let alone for a 15-year-old girl who's never seen a rough life."

She said the family would have to deal with the uncertainty of not knowing if she is "dead or alive".

The investigation into Yusra's disappearance is being carried out by the South East Counter Terrorism Unit.

Yusra was reported missing by her parents, who last saw her at about 07:00 BST on 24 September.

They said their daughter left for school as usual but was not there when her father went to pick her up at 15:30.

'Not Yusra'

Police believe she met up with Samya Dirie before flying to Istanbul in Turkey.

"There was no call, no explanation," said Miss Ali who added that the family did not initially realise her passport was missing.

Miss Ali described the situation as "heartbreaking" and admitted that Yusra, who wanted to train to be a dentist when she left school, could have been radicalised online.

"Whatever happened, this is not Yusra. Something went on to her mind for her to believe she is doing the correct thing."

The aunt blamed "internet grooming" saying the 15-year-old City Academy student had been "brainwashed or radicalised".

"Something went wrong, and we want to know what happened," she added. "Internet grooming is to blame."

In a direct appeal to Yusra, Miss Ali said the family wanted her to know she had done "nothing wrong".

"She won't be arrested if she comes back to the UK. You're not in trouble, we love you."