Australians warned against joining the Syrian resistance A Syrian rebel aims his weapon during clashes with government forces in the streets near Aleppo international airport in northern Syria earlier this year. THE federal opposition has warned against any Australians travelling to Syria and joining the resistance in the wake of reports Aussie fighters are heading to the war-torn nation and defecting to one of the world's most deadly terrorist groups. Opposition frontbencher Chris Bowen today said it would be stupid for any Australian to consider travelling to Syria, currently in the midst of a civil war. "The Syrian crisis is a tragedy on every level and no Australian should think it is smart to get themselves involved in this crisis," Mr Bowen said. It is deeply concerning and I know the Australian intelligence agencies have been concerned about it for some time. Anybody who thinks it is a good idea to go to Syria and get involved in this crisis I think is sadly mistaken. No Australian should think it is sensible to get involved in groups that promote violence overseas. The Australian reported today that Australia's top spy agency ASIO has recently received intelligence suggesting a large proportion of Australian fighters in Syria had joined the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), responsible for executions and bombings against civilians. The reports followed an official listing of ISIL as a terrorist organisation by Attorney-General George Brandis earlier in the month. Senator Brandis is yet to comment on today's reports.