85 British jihadists killed fighting for Islamic State in Syria

AT least 85 British jihadists have died fighting in Syria, the Defence Secretary revealed yesterday.

Michael Fallon said about 850 fanatics linked to the UK and regarded as a security threat are believed to have taken part in the bloody civil war.

Worryingly, 50 per cent of those have returned to the UK, raising fears the battle-hardened fighters could carry out so-called ‘lone wolf’ attacks in Britain.

But more than 10 per cent of the total figure have been killed, according to Mr Fallon.

High-profile British deaths have included Mohammed Emwazi, who became known as Jihadi John after he appeared in barbaric videos in which he murdered UK and US hostages.

The 27-year- old Kuwaiti-born terrorist was killed in a drone strike in November.

In August, RAF planes killed two jihad-

‘End up either dead or tortured’

ists who were plotting attacks on British soil – Reyaad Khan, 21, from Cardiff and 26-year-old Ruhul Amin from Aberdeen.

Shadow Foreign Office minister Diana Johnson said the figures highlighted the ‘grim reality’ for those lured to join IS.

But she said ministers must do more to explain how the estimated 400 ‘homegrown extremists’ are being managed following their return to the UK.

In a letter sent to Mrs Johnson, Mr Fallon wrote: ‘ Approximately 850 UK-linked individuals of national security concern have travelled to take part in the Syrian conflict.

‘Just under half of these have returned and over 10 per cent have been killed.

‘This number includes all those of national security concern who have travelled to take part in the conflict, not just those who have affiliated themselves with Daesh [IS].’

He added: ‘Those returning to the UK after training or fighting with groups such as Daesh can expect to be rigorously investigated to ensure that they do not pose a threat to our national security. If the authorities believe they have committed criminal offences, they will be prosecuted.’

Mrs Johnson said: ‘ These figures show the grim reality for the UK citizens who have been lured into joining Isis.

‘It’s not glamorous, it’s not exciting and you are very likely to end up either dead or tortured. But there is also a real issue here about the 400-plus fighters who have gone out to Syria and returned.

‘These homegrown extremists pose a serious risk.’

The Government believes the number of foreign fighters joining IS has fallen to about 200 a month from its peak of 2,000.

More than 50 UK-based people have been convicted so far of offences relating to the conflict.

Last month a senior British jihadi who boasted of recruiting hundreds of Britons for IS was reportedly killed in Syria.

Raphael Hostey, also known as Abu Qaqa al-Britani, left Manchester to join IS in 2013.

The 23-year-old became a key recruiter of British fighters and jihadi brides for the terror group and was also heavily involved in its propaganda. Many others have tried to travel to Syria and Iraq but were stopped on their journey.

In May, three children were taken out of their mother’s care after a high court judge concluded she had planned to take them to an area of Syria controlled by IS.

A mobile phone belonging to the woman seized after her arrest last summer at Birmingham airport contained images of children carrying firearms and wearing balaclavas bearing the IS emblem.