British Muslim who told his family he was studying abroad but joined Al-Qaeda group fighting in Syria is killed in the war-torn country

A British Muslim fighting in Syria for Al-Qaeda has been killed in the war-torn Middle East country.

Ifthekar Jaman, 23, left his home in Portsmouth, Hampshire, earlier this year to join the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant group battling against Syrian leader President Bashar al-Assad.

Jaman, who told his family he was studying in Turkey, died over the weekend although the circumstances of his death are yet to be revealed.

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Ifthekar Jaman left his home in Portsmouth earlier this year and joined an Al Qaeda group fighting in Syria

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said today: 'We are aware of reports of the death of a British national in Syria.

'The UK has advised for some time against all travel to Syria where all UK consular services are suspended. 

'As we do not have any representation in Syria, it is extremely difficult to get any confirmation of deaths or injuries and our options for supporting British Nationals there are extremely limited.'

Jaman boasted to the BBC's Newsnight TV programme last month he was in Syria 'fighting a Holy war.' 

Mohammed el-Araj, from West London, (left) was killed during an ambush on Assad forces earlier this year. Another Briton, Abu Hujama al-Britani, right, was also killed. Centre is a former Dutch soldier who trained them

Newsnight speak to British born Ifthekar Jaman in Syria

A number of posts have been made on internet forums and social media today describing him as being 'martyred'.

Yasmon Ullah Bigum wrote on Facebook: 'When a brother is martyred... how can you not be happy? Such an inspiration! No doubt this is a difficult time for the family.'

Another man, Saara Kharal, said: 'Our brother Ifthekar Jaman has become a Green Bird by joining the caravan of martyrs. May Allah grant him the lofty ranks of Jannah (paradise).'

Four other men from Portsmouth's Jami mosque are also believed be among hundreds of Brits fighting in Syria.

In his last posts on social network Twitter, Jaman said: 'A man leaves his home to fight for the oppressed people sounds heroic until you add in "Muslim Man", then he's a terorrist/extremist.'

'That is the view of the west. Osama Bin Laden was known as a hero when he went, which was in an article, to fight against the Soviets.'

In the Newsnight interview, Jaman said: 'I am ISIS. This is the group I am with. We are trying to establish the law of God, the law of Allah.

'This is the duty on me. All these people are suffering. Muslims are being slaughtered.

'God says he'll bring the best believers here.'

Jaman's family are originally from Bangladesh but he and his two brothers were born and educated in Britain.