Abdullah al-Bashir, the chief of staff of the so-called Free Syrian Army, said that British militants made up the largest foreign contingent of the ISIL terrorists.

Al-Bashir said, the “majority” of ISIL militants were from the UK, with others from France, Germany and Belgium.

Almost two out of three of ISIL's militants are foreign-born.

Around 400 Britons are believed to have gone to Syria over the last two years and joined terrorists operating in the Arab country, with an estimated 20 having died.

Al-Bashir added, “The Syrian people now experience beheadings, crucifixions, beatings, murders, outdated methods of treating women, an obsolete approach to governing society. Many who participate in these activities are British.”

ISIL is one of the most violent terrorist groups waging war in Syria and is infamous for beheading, crucifying and stoning to death both civilians and rival militants.

Thousands of foreigners, mainly from Arab and European countries, are said to be operating against the Syrian government.

Western spy agencies have already warned that the foreign militants pose a potential security threat when they return home.

RA/NJF