Muslim youngsters who travel to fight with rebels in Syria against president Assad’s regime are seen as heroes by almost 75% of Dutch Muslims, according to a Motivaction poll for television show Altijd Wat.

‘In general, Dutch Muslims consider the Syria fighters to be doing what the UN is failing to do, which is battling president Assad’s regime,’ the show’s pre-publicity said.

By contrast, 70% of the native Dutch population say they are not heroes. Almost 40% say they will be potential terrorists when they return home and 43% think they should be stripped of their Dutch nationality, news agency ANP reports.

The show will be broadcast on Tuesday evening.

The Dutch counter terrorism office claims around 100 Dutch youngsters have gone to Syria to fight with the rebels and there are reports three have been killed.

Earlier stories
Police stop 16-year-old girl heading to Syria
Up to 100 Dutch Muslims are fighting in holy wars
Jihadist recruiters are working in the Netherlands, say parents
Counter-terrorism body raises attack risk to substantial
Dutch Moroccan dies fighting in Syria, sources say
Police arrest three men who planned to fight in Syria
More Dutch jihadists but their number is still minute