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Investigation Into Britons Held On Syria Border

Counter terrorism officers have launched an investigation into nine people arrested by Turkish authorities for trying to cross illegally into Syria.

Officers from the Greater Manchester Police and North West Counter Terrorism are working with Rochdale Borough Council, local partners and faith leaders to establish why the family were found at the border.

The five adults, aged 21, 22, 22, 24 and 47, as well as four children aged one, three, eight and 11, are believed to be related and currently live in Rochdale.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett said: "What is obviously concerning is why a family were seemingly attempting to take very young and vulnerable children into a warzone; such a volatile and dangerous environment is no place for them whatsoever.

"We have commenced an investigation to try and establish their reasons for travel and as this is a live investigation - which is very much in its infancy - we are not in a position to comment further.

"One of our primary concerns is the safety and welfare of the young children and we are working with partners to ensure a full safeguarding strategy is in place upon their return to the UK."

It comes as the nine Britons are expected to be deported from Turkey on Thursday.

They were held by Turkish officials at a military outpost at Ogulpinar , in the south of the country.

Footage released earlier on Thursday showed the Britons arriving at a police station in Southern Hatay province.

Turkish MP Mehmet Ali Ediboglu, speaking on Wednesday, said: "They are being held at a paramilitary outpost. Probably, they will be deported to their country tomorrow."

It is unclear why the Britons were trying to cross the border.

Thousands of foreigners have joined the ranks of Islamic State and other radical groups in Syria and Iraq, many of them crossing through Turkey.

UK security services alone estimate 600 Britons have gone to Syria or Iraq to join militant groups.

Turkey has faced criticism for not doing enough to control its southeastern borders.

The country has in turn accused European nations of failing to prevent would-be jihadists from travelling in the first place.

Among Britons thought to have travelled to Syria are Bethnal Green Academy pupils Shamima Begum, Amira Abase and Kadiza Sultana . They are believed to be in the Syrian city of Raqqa, an IS stronghold.

The girls were last seen on CCTV at a bus station in Istanbul on 17 February.

:: Anyone with information is asked to call the anti-terrorism hotline on 0800 789 321.