Police say more than 40 Malaysians fighting for IS in Syria, Iraq

More than 40 Malaysian were fighting for Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, police said Tuesday, following reports that two Malaysian suicide bombers had carried out attacks recently.

According to Mohamad Fuzi, head of Malaysian police special branch, latest figure showed there were 47 Malaysian IS fighters in Syria and Iraq, including 12 women.

He told a press conference that 17 Malaysian were killed in fighting.

Severeal Malaysian children were believed to be brought to the areas by their parents, and now being trained to be fighters, he added.

Local media reported on Monday that two Malaysian carried out suicide bombings in Syria and Iraq respectively, killing more than 30. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has condemned the attacks, saying those actions "have no place in Malaysia."

Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said police were still waiting for the confirmation on the identities of the two alleged Malaysian suicide bombers.

Najib said earlier that more than 150 Malaysian had been arrested for terrorism-related activities since the rise of IS. The government has announced measures including tougher laws to tackle the threats of terrorism.