Bahrain moved Wednesday to deter citizens from joining terrorist groups abroad following similar action by other Gulf countries aimed at stemming the flow of homegrown militants to Syria.

Bahrain moved Wednesday to deter citizens from joining terrorist groups abroad following similar action by other Gulf countries aimed at stemming the flow of homegrown militants to Syria.

The ministry said it has proposed an amendment to its anti-terror law, which currently prescribes a maximum five-year sentence for fighting abroad, pledging "more deterrent measures against citizens committing or taking part abroad in mass violence or combat."