Turkish MP Says Canadian Among Group Of Med Students That Travelled To Syria

ISTANBUL — A Turkish opposition lawmaker says that a Canadian and an American are among a group of medical students believed to have crossed into Syria from Turkey.

Mehmet Ali Ediboglu previously told The Associated Press that the group consisted of nine British medical students and doctors. The lawmaker says he is helping family members of the group, who are in Turkey.

On Monday, he said 11 people were in the group — seven British citizens, two Sudanese, one American and one Canadian. He says he believes the group crossed into Syria from the Turkish border town of Akcakale, across from Islamic State group territory, on March 13 or 14.

He says members of the group sent text messages to the families saying they are fine.

Reuters news agency reported that Ediboglu said that one of the 11 flew to Istanbul from Toronto before crossing with the group into Syria. 

--With files from The Canadian Press