Two British men who travelled to Syria to join an al Qaida-linked terrorist group have been jailed for nearly 13 years.
Childhood friends Mohammed Ahmed and Yusuf Sarwar, from Birmingham, fled to the war-torn country in May last year after contacting Islamic extremists.
The men, both 22, were arrested on their return to the UK in January and pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in conduct in preparation of terrorism acts contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act.
They were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in London today to 12 years and eight months in prison with an extended licence period of five years.
Judge Michael Topolski QC said: "They willingly, enthusiastically and with a great deal of purpose, persistence and determination embarked on a course intended to commit acts of terrorism."
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