The Saudi Interior Ministry said 25 percent of Saudi fighters in Syria returned, including individuals wanted in security cases, the Al Sharq Al Awsat newspaper reported on Monday.

The number of returned fighters is still unknown, said Major- General Mansoor Al Turki, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry.

On March 7, Saudi Arabia ordered nationals fighting abroad, including those in Syria, to return within 15 days, or face legal punishments.

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued an order last month to imprison Saudis who are fighting abroad or belonging to a "terrorist group" between three to 20 years.

The order also covers members of local, regional and international "extreme religious and terrorist groups." Supporting such organizations or offering financial assistances will also incur imprisonment. Convicted military personnel in particular will be sentenced from five to 30 years.