Additionally, dozens of British men that have joined the Takfiri militancy in the war-torn Arab nation reportedly wish to return to Britain but are fearful they will be imprisoned if they attempt to do so, the UK-based Times newspaper reported Friday.

One of the militants who, according to the report, claims to represent 30 British militants fighting for an ISIL-linked terrorists group said the men are willing to undergo a process of deradicalization and submit to state surveillance if they are guaranteed freedom upon their return.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted a group of academics at the International Center for Study of Radicalization and Political Violence (ICSR) at King’s College London, expressing his frustration and concern to researchers based there via social media, according to the British daily.

“We came to fight the regime and instead we are involved in gang warfare. It’s not what we came for but if we go back [to Britain] we will go to jail,” the Takfiri terrorist told ICSR researchers.

Meanwhile, ICSR director Peter Neumann estimates that up to 20 percent of British militants in Syria could be looking for an avenue to disengage from Takfiri militancy in the region, the report adds.

“The people we have been talking to... want to quit but feel trapped because all the government is talking about is locking them up for 30 years,”Takfiri terrorist added.

Over 500 UK citizens have reportedly travelled to Syria to engage in militancy, 20 of whom have been killed there so far, six of whom in infighting.

SHI/SHI