More young women are leaving home to join Islamic State fighters

Naive youths: There is much concern about young women joining the Islamic State - many are believed to be recruited via social media. - Filepic

Hundreds of girls and women are going missing in the West, reappearing in Iraq and Syria to marry Islamic State extremists.

Girls as young as 14 or 15 are travelling mainly to Syria to marry militants, bear their children and join communities of fighters, with a small number taking up arms. Many are recruited via social media. Women and girls appear to account for about 10% of those leaving Europe, North America and Australia to link up with militant groups including Islamic State, Isis.