Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Saudi fighters have been returning in large numbers from the Sunni revolt in Syria.

The Interior Ministry said at least 25 percent of Saudi fighters were leaving Syria for the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom. The ministry said some of the fighters, despite an amnesty offer, were wanted by Riyad for security offensives.

“There could be fighters still in Syria that don’t know of the amnesty,” Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al Turki said.

At a news conference on March 23, Al Turki said he could not confirm the number of Saudis who returned from Syria. He said Riyad was facilitating the return of the fighters, many of them who left Syria for Turkey.

Officials said the Saudi return was encouraged by a decree by King Abdullah in February 2014. The decree outlawed Saudi participation in foreign conflicts and banned the Muslim Brotherhood, a leading element in the revolt in Syria.

  King Abdullah, Large numbers of Saudi fighters have returned from Syria after King’s offer, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al Turki