Dubai: Dozens of Kuwaitis are fighting in Syria alongside the Free Syrian Army, a Kuwaiti daily has reported.
Saudi, Algerian and Pakistani nationals are also fighting on the side of the rebels, Kuwaitis said, quoting their relatives who crossed into Syria, Al Qabas said on Sunday.
Kuwaitis who reach Syria are welcomed by members of the Free Syrian Army and are given weapons before they are integrated into fighting units.
The foreigners are given Syrian identity papers to help them in case they are held prisoners by the regime forces, the report said. The Kuwaiti identity papers are reportedly left at the Free Syrian Army liaison offices at the borders with Turkey.
Kuwaitis who volunteered to join the Syrian rebels but were less than 18 were told to return to Kuwait, Al Qabas said.
Unlike religious leaders in Saudi Arabia who have banned public donations to the Syrian rebels, Kuwaiti Islamists have been pushing for greater assistance to the dissidents.
