Riyadh, March 24 (IANS): Saudi Arabia's interior ministry has said that 25 percent of the country's fighters, including individuals wanted in security cases in Syria, have returned home.

Mansoor Al Turki, spokesperson for the country's interior ministry, said the number of fighters who have returned is still unknown, Xinhua reported citing Al Sharq Al Awsat newspaper.

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

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued an order last month to jail the country's nationals fighting abroad or belonging to terrorist groups to between three and 20 years.

The order also covers members of local, regional and international "extreme religious and terrorist groups".

Supporting such organisations or offering financial assistance will also incur imprisonment. Convicted military personnel, in particular, will be sentenced from five to 30 years.