British ISIS fighter regrets past choices in Syrian jail

Hamza Parvez, a British ISIS fighter, is currently imprisoned in a Syrian jail suffering from tuberculosis. Parvez, known as "Hungry Hamza" for expressing his cravings for fast food, admitted he is "bearing the brunt" of his past mistakes. Parvez, originally from London, became one of the first Britons to join ISIS in 2014. He spoke to Sky News from his cell, acknowledging that he made significant mistakes and noting that the group committed acts of terror. When asked about his involvement in these acts, he provided a vague response, merely smiling in reply. He was captured after the U.S.-backed coalition defeated ISIS in 2019. Now, he shares his prison cell with about 25 other inmates in Panorama Prison, which is known for its poor conditions and recent tuberculosis outbreak. Parvez, who has lost a lot of weight since joining ISIS, criticized the group's food distribution. He mentioned that many recruits were misled about the reality of life in ISIS. His family has urged the UK government to allow him to return and face justice in Britain instead of staying in a foreign prison. Around 10,000 alleged ISIS fighters, including Parvez, remain detained in northern Syria. Many were captured during the group's downfall in 2019. A senior Kurdish soldier has noted an increase in attacks from remaining ISIS factions in the region, highlighting ongoing security challenges.