The report published in French daily Le Monde said many of these French nationals are fighting alongside extremist groups like the al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front.

Le Monde’s report cited figures from France’s security services and noted dozens of these militants have already returned to the country.

These are just the official figures and the real number is estimated to be much higher.

Syria is struggling with a massive insurgency that is widely supported by the United States, Israel and their allies as well as some regional Arab countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Numerous terrorist gangs are fighting against the Syrian government which are backed both militarily and politically by their international supporters.

The Syrian army often finds foreign national militants as it goes on with an all-out war against terrorists throughout the country.

On May 18, Assad said militants from 29 different countries are fighting against the government in different parts of the country.