The terrorist group, ISIS, is recruiting teenagers in the U.S. as part of a broadening campaign of violence, a top FBI official told CNN.
Michael Steinbach, head of the FBI’s counterterrorist division, said the teenagers are as young as 15. He said he “can’t speak with 100% certainty that individuals of that age group have not gotten over there successfully.”
Even parents are encouraging their children to join terror groups, he said.
“There are individuals out there who are inspired by the message of terrorist groups and they encourage family members, including their children, to follow that path,” he said.
ISIS also is recruiting women.
“The recruitment of women by ISIS is much more than we’ve ever seen by a terrorist organization,” he said. “We have seen everything from a female fighter — dedicated groups of women fighters — and those who have come over to support foreign fighters by marrying them.”
