'He's not my son anymore': Mothers of IS recruits speak of heartache

Belgian mothers have spoken out about their guilt and sorrow after their sons were recruited by IS.

Molenbeek, Belgium. Source: Getty Images

In the neighbourhood of the Paris attack ringleader, a mother wept as she spoke about her son, now lost in the world of terrorism.

"It’s a nightmare,” she told CNN through tears. "As a mother you feel, did I give him enough love? Maybe I didn’t give him enough love?"

Her head in her hands, the Belgian mother struggled to comprehend how her son was radicalised and why he became an IS fighter.

She said he has threatened to kill her, if she speaks publicly.

"Truly, it’s terrible. I feel so guilty."

And there are likely to be more mothers feeling the same way.

Belgium providing most IS recruits per capita

According to a UN working group, Belgium has the highest number of citizens per capita joining IS in Syria and Iraq than any other country in Europe.

The UN Working Group estimates about 500 recruits have left Belgium since 2010, with jihadis paying families thousands of dollars.

Brussels is a city reacting to the imminent threat of terrorism. For days the subway and schools have been closed.

Stores were also forced to shut their doors as the streets were empty of people.

Molenbeek, a haven for foreign fighters

The suburb of Molenbeek is the home of Europe’s most wanted fugitive, Salah Abdelslam, who has been on the run since the Paris attacks on November 13.

It was also home to Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who was believed to be the ringleader. He died when police stormed his hideout, north of Paris.

Salah Adelslam’s brother, Mohammed, said the young men were able to slip out of Belgium undetected.

"Young people from my neighbourhood, who grew up with us, went into Syria," he told CNN.

"I know it from their parents, from their brothers or from the media," he said. "It’s important to know that some people have indeed been able to go there."

'He's not my son anymore'

The Belgian community and its mosques are struggling to fight back against the recruiting force of IS

The task ahead is not an easy one, and for family left behind asking questions, answers aren’t readily available either.

For at least one Belgian mother, the struggle is a heartbreaking one.

"And I also think about the victims, they are innocent, murdered, it’s horrible," she said.

"He’s not my son anymore."