More Brits signing up to fight with jihadist militants in Iraq and Syria than for the UK Army Reserve

More British citizens signed up to fight in Iraq and Syria than joined the Army Reserve last year, it can be revealed.

Just 170 extra reservists enlisted over the past year - despite a Government target to boost the stand-by force by 11,000 by 2018.

But at the same time the brutal al-Qaeda inspired ISIS forces tearing through Iraq have been boosted by 'several hundred' Brits, ministers told MailOnline.

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The terror organisation ISIS has wreaked havoc in Iraq and Syria. Ministers are increasingly concerned British-born recruits could return to the UK intent on carrying out attacks in the UK

Terror experts believe there could be as many as 500 Brits fighting alongside the jihadists in the Middle East for ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria).

A senior government minister said: ‘There is a real problem about people going in and being radicalised and then coming home. There are several hundred who have gone from Britain that we know of. It is a worry.

'To get to Iraq most of them will have to go through Syria, so the two are connected.’

Foreign Secretary William Hague yesterday admitted Brit will 'inevitably' be fighting alongside ISIS which he called the 'most violent and brutal militant group in the Middle East'.

He said the majority of Isis' members were Iraqi or Syrian but 'it also includes a significant number of foreign fighters among its ranks'.

Mr Hague said: 'As I have previously told this House, we estimate the number of UK-linked individuals fighting in Syria to include approximately 400 British nationals and other UK-linked individuals who could present a particular risk should they return to the UK.' He said 'some of these, inevitably' are 'fighting with' Isis.

Shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker said he revelation was humiliating for the country and needed to be tackled.

Mr Coaker said: 'The government's own figures show more UK citizens are joining ISIS than signing up for the Armed Forces Reserves. This is shameful, embarrassing and will cause deep concern.

'We need to see action to ensure recruitment to the Armed Forces meets the targets set. Otherwise, Britain will be left with a dangerous capability gap.'

The Government has launched a campaign to recruit 11,000 new reservists to boost the size of the back-up force to 30,000 by 2018. But between April 2013 and April 2014 just 170 signed up


Shadow defence secretary Vernon Coaker (centre), with Labour leader Ed Miliband on a surprise visit to Camp Bastion earlier this year, attacked the 'shameful' failure to recruit British forces for the Army Reserve


Credit to Dailymail.com

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