A militant on the streets of Raqqa in 2014. The so-called caliphate has now collapsed

Islamic State fighters who return from the war zone in the Middle East could be offered council houses, helped to find a job and given counselling.

Under a proposal known as Operation Constrain, jihadists would be offered help, including mental health treatment, to persuade them to reject violence. If they did not have suitable accommodation, they could be put in social housing and given welfare payments, The Mail on Sunday reported.

The government is considering the proposal as it grapples with what to do with Britons who return from the war zone. An analysis published last week by the Soufan Centre and the Global Strategy Network revealed that about 425 fighters had already returned to Britain, one of the highest contingents of any country.

Mark