Irish soldier moved to Syria and became Isis bride, officials believe

Gardaí in contact with woman’s family

Civilians flee Isis’s last enclave in Baghouz as Syrian Democratic Forces battle to liberate the village (AFP/Getty)

A former Irish soldier who converted to Islam and travelled to Syria where she gave birth to a child has reportedly been arrested for membership of Isis.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed an Irish citizen is being held in northern Syria but has not confirmed her identity.

Despite there being no official confirmation, gardaí and officials in the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence believe she is a former member of the Defence Forces, RTE reports.

The woman, who is thought to be from the north east of the country, joined the forces when she was 19 and served as a private for five years.

Eight years ago she left the forces and converted to Islam. She became radicalised and is thought to have travelled to Syria about three years ago.

The gardaí have reportedly been in contact with her family and are keeping them informed of developments.

They are now working to confirm the woman’s identity and to confirm reports she was arrested at an airport in Syria.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said it provided consular assistance to all Irish citizens abroad, but it is not clear if the woman has sought assistance from the Irish or other authorities, RTE reported.

The woman’s detention comes as British home secretary Sajid Javid faces strong criticism for stripping a teenager of her British citizenship after she left the UK aged 15 to join Isis.

Despite her having a baby a few weeks old she was denied the chance of returning and the baby subsequently died of pneumonia in a refugee camp.

The Independent has contacted the Irish Department for Foreign Affairs for comment.