Maldivian man killed in Syria fighting

A 25-year-old Maldivian has died fighting in Syria with the al-Qaeda affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front.

Local media said the man from Naavaidhu island, who took the name Abu Saad Al-Maldifi, travelled to Syria early this year.

He died last week in a targeted attack, Mihaaru reported citing a source close to the man.

The Al Masdar News agency said he was killed during clashes at Beit Jinn, which borders Israel.

In a separate development the Maldivian media wing for fighters in Syria, Bilad Al Sham, said two Maldivians had been killed in Syria’s Hama.

A message posted in a Telegram group named the two men as Abu Dujana al Madifi and Khattab al Madifi. The Maldives Independent has not been able to verify the information.

Hundreds of Maldivians are thought to be fighting in the Middle East, although the government puts the official figure at just 49.

The opposition claims the Maldives is the highest per-capita supplier of jihadis, with as many as 250 nationals fighting in Syria and Iraq.

Most appear to be fighting with either the Nusra Front or the Islamic State group and at least six Maldivians have died fighting for these groups.

Several Maldivians are currently on trial for allegedly trying to join jihadist militant groups and two men with connections to the IS group were charged in November for planning suicide attacks in the capital.

Picture: Mihaaru