Two Georgian men from Pankisi gorge have been killed while fighting for the Islamic State group in Syria, news website Information Center of Kakheti (ICK) and other Georgian media sources reported on January 18.

The Georgian State Security Service has confirmed to Civil.ge that the two natives of Pankisi gorge died in Syria, but declined to discuss details.

The two men were identified by the Georgian media sources as Ramzan Pareulidze, 24, from the village of Birkiani, and Mukhmad Turkoshvili, 22, from the village of Omalo in Pankisi gorge in eastern region of Kakheti.

At least 12 Georgian citizens, natives of Pankisi gorge, have died fighting for IS group in Syria.

Deputy Head of Georgia’s State Security Service, Levan Izoria, said in November 2015, that there were “up to 50 Georgian citizens” fighting for extremist groups in Syria.