The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Up to 30 British jihadists now dead in Syria but toll will rise with Isil lure

Up to 30 British jihadists are now believed to have died fighting alongside Isil and other terror groups in Syria, latest estimates suggest.

The rising death toll is a sign that young British Muslims are still being sucked in by the warped ideology of Isil and are heading to the war-torn country in growing numbers.

Four British fanatics, including a teenager from Brighton, are said to have died in a single US air strike last month alone.

But the stream of reported deaths could serve as an inspiration for other would-be jihadists to head for Syria rather than as a deterrent, experts have warned.

The figures came as one academic said youngsters who flee Britain to fight jihad are just depressed and lonely and should be allowed to return without being criminalised.