THE BRIGHTON RADICALISED A

From a grubby gym in a seaside city, the largest extremist cell in Europe was luring teenagers to their deaths in war-torn Syria

Gym meeting was held to discuss Syria and who was ready to travel. Detailed police transcripts of interviews with converts reveal Jaffar was driving the plan, offering others the chance “to go to Syria and fight”.

Others quickly put their names down, including Abdullah and Ibrahim “Ibby” Kamara, 19, one of Amer’s best friends.

On the morning of January 28, 2014, Ibby, 19, left home wearing a grey tracksuit and trainers. That same morning Abdullah informed a close friend he was travelling to Libya for a long holiday, a smoke screen to hide his true intentions.

Abdullah said goodbye toAbdul.The twins had been inseparable since they entered the world 30 seconds apart and had stood shoulder to shoulder ever since.

Finally Jaffar, still just 16, packed his bag and gave his mum a hug for the last time. He would become the youngest British jihadist to enter the Syrian conflict.

Of the five Deghayes siblings, just Abdul and the youngest, Mohammed, remained in

Britain. Several days later the three Brighton teenagers walked to the corrugated-iron sheds of Syria’s Bab al-Hawa crossing.

Jabhat al-Nusra had seized control of the border weeks earlier.

They were almost dragged over by the welcoming guards. Escorted by several jihadists, they were taken south on a flatbed truck, following the highway as it wound through rolling hills, towards the frontline.

ON THE AFTERNOON of February 4, Jaffar sent a Facebook message to those in Brighton who had expressed an interest in Syria. Counterterrorism intelligence officials at Sussex Police were alerted, but no action was taken. In Arabic he confirmed they had arrived and issued a signal via Facebook: “Come, now.”

The new arrivals were astonished at the number of European volunteers. Thousands had arrived in Syria, including several hun