British Bangladeshi Muslim family of 12 who joined Islamic State feels 'safer than ever'

(BBC) A UK family of 12 who went missing have joined so-called Islamic State and feel "safer than ever", according to a statement said to be on their behalf.

The statement, purportedly sent by a British member of IS, said it was "outrageous" to suggest the Mannan family from Luton had been kidnapped and forced to join the group.

The BBC has not been able to verify if the statement is genuine.

A friend of a teenager among the 12 said he thought he had been "tricked".

The family, who have not been seen since 17 May, includes three children aged between one and 11. Police have previously said they may have travelled to Syria.

The statement is accompanied by two photos purportedly of family member Muhammed Abdul Mannan, which have not been independently verified.

It comes as a video apparently released by the IS group showed 25 men being shot dead in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra.

The missing family is:

• Muhammed Abdul Mannan, 75, and his wife Minera Khatun, 53

• Their daughter Rajia Khanom, 21, and sons Mohammed Zayd Hussain, 25, Mohammed Toufique Hussain, 19, Mohammed Abil Kashem Saker, 31, and his wife Sheida Khanam, 27

• Mohammed Saleh Hussain, 26, and his wife Roshanara Begum, 24, along with three children, aged between one and 11

The statement, passed to the BBC by a Briton fighting with IS, said the family had arrived in a land that was "free from corruption and oppression" and had not been "commanded" to join by a single person but by the "Khalifah of the Muslims".

It said: "We say to those that are concerned for our safety to put your hearts at rest for we feel safer than we have ever felt before."

It went on to urge Muslims to "race to your state".

More...