Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has succeeded in recruiting thousands of fighters over the last two months.

The Syrian opposition asserted that ISIL has nearly doubled its foreign fighters contingent since the capture of northern Iraq in June 2014.

The opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a spike in recruitment, including fighters from China and Russia.

“July saw the largest recruitment since the group appeared in Syria in 2013, with more than 6,000 new fighters,” Syrian Observatory Rami Abdul Rahman said.

Syrian Observatory, with a network throughout Syria, said the latest recruitment campaign included at least 1,000 foreigners.

The British-based organization said the foreigners came from Arab states, European Union, China and Russia.

“The volunteers enter Syria from Turkey,” Syrian Observatory said.

Syrian Observatory also reported defections from ISIL’s rival, Nusra Front for the Defense of Levant. The opposition group said 200 Nusra fighters joined ISIL in July.

  from China to Russia, ISIL’s conquests make it a magnet for foreign jihadists, Nusra Front, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights