Bahrain moved Wednesday (February 26th) to deter citizens from joining Islamist fighters abroad following similar action by other Gulf countries aimed at stemming the flow of jihadists to Syria, AFP reported.

The interior ministry said it has proposed an amendment to its anti-terror law, which currently prescribes a maximum five-year sentence for fighting abroad, pledging “more deterrent measures against citizens committing or taking part abroad in mass violence or combat”.

The Syrian conflict “has attracted some Bahraini citizens”, the ministry said in a statement carried by the official Bahrain News Agency.

“The ministry of interior advises Bahraini citizens not to participate or get involved in regional or international conflicts,” it said.

The ministry has ordered more investigations, as well as the tracking of social media websites that recruit or assist fighters, BNA reported.

It also ordered the monitoring of donations and financial transactions linked to extremists.

The proposed tighter rules come after neighbouring Saudi Arabia toughened its punishment for citizens fighting abroad earlier this month, and a Kuwaiti MP proposed similar legislation.