A former British ISIS fighter known as “Hungry Hamza”—who once fled the UK to join the Islamic State in Syriaand later moaned about missing fast food—now admits he is “bearing the brunt” of his mistakes as he suffers in a tuberculosis-ridden prison.
Hamza Parvez, originally from West London, was among the hundreds of British jihadists who left the UK to fight for ISIS. Now detained in a Syrian prison, he is pleading for repatriation, but his future remains uncertain.
Here’s everything we know about his journey from a wannabe extremist to a desperate prisoner, his current conditions, and the growing debate over whether foreign ISIS fighters should be allowed to return home.
Who is ‘Hungry Hamza’ and How Did He Join ISIS?
Hamza Parvez, now 31 years old, left the UK in 2014 at the age of 20 to join ISIS in Syria.
🚨 Key Facts About His Time in ISIS:
- Used the nickname “Hungry Hamza” on social media.
- Shared posts complaining about missing KFC and McDonald’s while living under ISIS rule.
- Encouraged other British Muslims to join the terrorist group.
- Claimed to be fighting for an Islamic state, but was later captured as ISIS collapsed.
Despite once glorifying life in the so-called “caliphate”, Hamza now says he deeply regrets his decisions.
Jailed in Syria: Life in a Tuberculosis-Infested Prison
Hamza is currently detained in Panorama Prison, a high-security detention center in al-Hasakah, Syria.
Conditions Inside the Prison:
💀 Overcrowded with thousands of ISIS fighters from over 80 countries.
💀 Severe outbreaks of tuberculosis and other diseases.
💀 Run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who struggle to control the facility.
💀 Frequent riots and escape attempts by ISIS prisoners.
In a recent interview, Hamza admitted that he had made “a lot of mistakes” and described the prison as a living nightmare.
“If we were stray dogs, we’d have more rights than we do here.” – Hamza Parvez
Many former ISIS fighters, like Hamza, now plead for repatriation back to their home countries, but governments remain reluctant to bring them back due to security concerns.
Does Hamza Deserve to Return to the UK?
The case of returning ISIS fighters has sparked intense debate in the UK.
🔴 Arguments Against Repatriation:
- Hamza chose to join a terrorist group—why should Britain accept him back?
- Returning ISIS fighters pose a major security risk.
- The UK has already stripped citizenship from several ISIS members, such as Shamima Begum.
🟢 Arguments For Repatriation:
- Leaving them in Syria could lead to an ISIS resurgence if prisoners escape.
- Some argue they should face justice in their home country rather than remain in legal limbo.
- Many former fighters now regret their choices and could be rehabilitated.
The UK government has remained firm, with officials stating that “those who travel to join terrorist organizations should not expect to return.”
ISIS Resurgence: Could Captured Fighters Rebuild the Caliphate?
Many security experts warn that abandoned ISIS fighters in Syrian prisons pose a major threat.
✔️ Thousands of former jihadists are still loyal to ISIS.
✔️ If prisons collapse, they could reunite and form a new insurgency.
✔️ The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) lack resources to keep control.
In January 2022, ISIS fighters staged a major prison break in al-Hasakah, proving that the group still has the ability to regroup.
Could leaving prisoners like Hamza in Syria actually make the situation worse in the long run?
What Happens Next? Hamza’s Future Remains Uncertain
🚨 Possible Outcomes for ‘Hungry Hamza’:
1️⃣ He remains imprisoned in Syria indefinitely.
2️⃣ The UK denies his return, leaving him stranded in legal limbo.
3️⃣ He is transferred to another country, such as Iraq, where he could face the death penalty.
4️⃣ In a controversial decision, Britain allows him to return and face trial under UK terrorism laws.
For now, Hamza remains behind bars, suffering the consequences of his actions.
🚀 What do you think? Should the UK allow ISIS fighters like Hamza Parvez to return, or should they stay in Syria? Let us know in the comments!
FAQs About ‘Hungry Hamza’ & ISIS Fighters
1. Who is Hamza Parvez, aka “Hungry Hamza”?
Hamza Parvez is a British ISIS fighter from West London who joined ISIS in 2014. He became known for complaining about missing fast food while living in Syria.
2. Why is Hamza in prison?
After the collapse of ISIS, he was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and placed in Panorama Prison, a facility housing thousands of former ISIS fighters.
3. What are the conditions like in the prison?
The prison is overcrowded, filled with disease, and has frequent riots and escape attempts. Many inmates suffer from tuberculosis.
4. Can Hamza return to the UK?
The UK government has refused to repatriate many ISIS fighters, arguing that they pose a security risk. Hamza’s future remains uncertain.
5. Could ISIS fighters like Hamza rejoin terrorist groups?
Experts warn that if prisons collapse, detained ISIS members could escape and rejoin the fight, leading to a resurgence of terrorism in the region.
