Both Syria and Iraq are hosting upwards of 60,000 foreigners who have decided to fight alongside Islamic state militants. According to an eNCA News report, South African citizens are among them — three of which were killed as of late November.

“I have received credible information regarding those three citizens that were killed. Two are young individuals from [the] Harding area. One is a middle-aged man from Capetown,” Hushaim Al-Alaw, Iraqi Ambassador to South Africa told eNCA News.

Another official who spoke in the report noted that although there may be “an attraction” or “sympathy” for Islamic fighters, it hasn’t been proven that there is an overwhelming number of South African that have become involved. Under Foreign Military Act guidelines, it is illegal for South Africans to participate in such conflicts.