A 19-year-old Kenyan woman was arrested at Orio al Serio Airport in Milan on November 30 while attempting to board a flight to Turkey, where she intended to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The arrest was carried out by Milan’s International Counter Terrorism Department (ITD) in collaboration with the Central Directorate of Prevention Police (CDPP), following an extensive investigation that commenced in October. Authorities began monitoring her activities after jihadist propaganda was identified on her social media profiles, which included videos and images showcasing her in a niqab. The suspect had shared content supportive of ISIS, featuring a black-flag emoji alongside messages that advocated for jihad and martyrdom.
Further investigations revealed connections to individuals in the Middle East who were allegedly funding and facilitating her travel. Reports indicate that she had reached out to Turkish diplomatic offices in Italy in an effort to secure a one-way ticket to Istanbul.Her intentions became clear when she obtained an air ticket for November 30, aiming to reach areas under jihadist control. The recruitment of women and girls into terrorist organizations has seen significant escalation in Kenya, particularly in the coastal and northeastern regions.
Women are increasingly recognized as effective recruiters and operatives, largely due to their logistical skills and the perception that they carry a lower risk of detection by authorities. In her posts, she shared emoticons associated with the extremist group and expressed her belief that “jihad” translates to a struggle against enemies, questioning her audience about their desire to achieve the highest level in Paradise. When confronted about the notion that holy war is a male-only pursuit, she referenced ‘Aisha,’ the second wife of the Prophet Muhammad, to challenge this belief.
Amidst her online rhetoric, she alluded to suicide attacks for terrorist purposes and openly identified herself as a supporter of ISIS. During the interrogation, she disclosed her intent to travel to Turkey to marry a 23-year-old man she had met through social media, citing her desire for a lifestyle that aligns with her conservative interpretations of Islam. She expressed distress over graphic depictions of violence against Muslims, indicating that such images have significantly influenced her worldview.
Additionally, she highlighted personal grievances, such as the perceived inability to work while wearing a niqab in Italy, stating that this lack of freedom contributed to her desire to leave the country. The woman acknowledged her alignment with ISIS’s radical ideology regarding “armed reaction,” expressing an interest in traveling to admire those who she believes are fighting to uphold their beliefs in the name of Islam, specifically denoting that she has no intention of participating in combat herself.