Zaynab Sharrouf, 14, says she has taken on the role of matriarch for her three-month-old baby and four younger siblings

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The teenage daughter of Australian Islamic State terrorist Khaled Sharrouf says she’s certain her father is dead.

In reported conversations with the Daily Telegraph, 14-year-old Zaynab Sharrouf says she’s struggling with being the family matriarch for her three-month-old baby and four younger siblings following the death of her parents.

“We know for sure that he’s dead,” the Daily Telegraph reports her saying from Syria.

Isis fighter Khaled Sharrouf may still be alive Read more

“It was confirmed ages ago. Who would you believe, the media that like to make lies or his family who witnessed it?”

Sharrouf is believed to have died in a drone strike last year, while Zaynab’s mother, Tara Nettleton, is thought to have died in Syria in September following an appendix operation.

Her husband, another Islamic State terrorist Mohamed Elomar, is also believed to have died in an air strike last year.

Zaynab says she’s doing fine but is stressed.

“I don’t want to speak over the net about where I’m located bcuz [sic] it’s dangerous with drones. They hit families a lot,” she said.

She also confirmed that she was in regular contact with her grandmother Karen Nettleton, who has reportedly embarked on a rescue mission to bring her five grandchildren and great-granddaughter home.

“I try and speak to her as much as I can. I send her photo as well,” she said.