22-year-old man arrested in Australia's ongoing foreign fighters investigation

Australian authorities have arrested a 22-year-old man in western Sydney on Tuesday for travelling to and facilitating others to travel to Syrian conflict zone in 2013, as part of a difficult and protracted investigation surrounding the return of foreign fighters.

Australia, a staunch ally in the U.S.-led fight against terror in Syria and Iraq, has remained on heightened alert for home-grown terror attacks for over two years, arresting or jailing at least 45 suspects in connection to domestic terror plots.

It's believed that there are 110 Australians fighting for Islamic State, while 60 have been killed.

Authorities fear those who have travelled to and returned from Syria, Iraq or any other area, where hostile activities are occurring, would become more radicalized and bring back a greater capability in the use of weapons and explosives for any potential attack on Australian soil.

"We will continue to look at those who have returned from foreign countries and put appropriate strategies in place to investigate those who have committed offenses against Australian law," Australian Federal Police (AFP) Acting Assistant Commissioner for Counter Terrorism Michael Kelsey said on Tuesday.

"Although there are complexities in gathering evidence from foreign countries, we are committed to doing everything we can to bring people to account for their actions, and mitigate any risk to our community from those who have travelled to the region."

Police said the 22-year-old man, named in local media as Muhammad Abdul-Karim Musleh, was sent to Syria by notorious terrorist recruiter Hamdi Alqudsi - currently serving six years in an Australian prison - for just 11 days before returning home in July 2013.

While it's not known why Musleh returned so quickly from the Middle East, Fairfax Media reported the young man have been spooked by Turkish authorities while attempting to meet a Syrian recruiter before crossing the border.

The Australian government forbids any Australian traveling to war zones without special permission, and those who do and join either side of the conflict face harsh penalties.

Investigations are also ongoing into Australians who have fought for forces battling Islamic State such as the Syrian-Kurdish militant group YPG.

Under controversial foreign fighter laws, any dual national will have their Australian citizenship revoked if they are alleged to be a member of an organization listed on Australia's official terror group watch list. Single nationality Australians face a potential imprisonment of 10 years. Endit