Wives, slaves and conspirators: the women of Isis

The French services have confirmed it. "We have underestimated the role of women enrolled by Isis." Brides of jihad, girls who went for an adventure, sex slaves. Girls used as suicide bombers, as it was in the case of Boko Haram, which is different from any other group affiliated to the Caliphate. For over two years, analysts pointed out that Isis did not confer any operational role to female recruits. "The girls are recruited to attract men and with the aim of raising future soldiers of the Caliphate," it was said. Mothers, nurses, forced to wear the veil and be completely subjected to men. This is all true: Isis attracted into its net hundreds of young girls, manipulated, persuaded to leave with the promise of a better life and then enslaved.

However, women are not just victims of Isis. The scenario has evolved. In September 2016 French police discovered a Peugeot car parked next to Notre Dame cathedral. Three women had put a bomb there. Beyond the single French episode, there are many other women affiliated to the terrorist organization of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. France, Britain, Italy. Each country has its examples. Maria Giulia Sergio, who shouted her hatred against infidels via Skype; Meriem Rehaily, who left after having circulated a list of targets on the Internet. Some of these women have died. Others have returned. Others were enrolled in Europe as well as in the United States.