South Africans warned to steer clear of Syria conflict
Activists are calling on South Africans not to travel to Syria to fight in the ongoing war there that's claimed thousands of lives.
Former journalist an social activist, Yusuf Abramjee says two South Africans - including a Durban resident - have been killed in the fighting.
Abramjee is part of Operation SA which was formed to raise money for humanitarian aid in Syria which they say is urgent.
"We know that a number of people have travelled to Syria in recent years to take part in conflicts. A 22-year-old Durban man was killed and we believe that a man from Port Elizabeth, also in his twenties, had travelled with him. The family has asked that their names not be released. We do know that they travelled together to be part of the Syrian conflict," he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of International Relations is working with the Syrian government to bring photographer, Shiraaz Mohamed home. Mohamed had been on assignment in the war-torn country travelling towards the Turkish border when he was seized.