THE brother of two men who fought and died with Islamist fighters in Syria has been stabbed to death.

Abdul Deghayes was attacked in Elm Grove in Brighton last night.

The alarm was raised at 9.28pm when the 22-year-old victim was found in the passenger seat of a silver Volkswagen Polo that had collided with a number of cars near St Joseph's church.

He had suffered a number of stab wounds and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where he died from his injuries at 6.28am today (Sunday).

Police have launched a murder inquiry.

Officers remained at the scene today and were standing guard at major junctions with Islingword Road, Wellington Road, Milton Road, Howard Road, and at the traffic lights at Lewes Road near The Level.

Chief Inspector Andy Bennett said: "We are trying to establish the exact circumstances of what has led to this young man's tragic death.

"We are aware that the car was in collision with other vehicles shortly before he was found to have suffered these injuries, which we are satisfied were caused maliciously and not as a result of the collision.

"The scene is close to the junction with Lewes Road, near to The Level, and at that time of the evening would have been very busy.

"We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time who may have witnessed the collision or who may have seen something that they may now regard as suspicious in the time leading up to it.

"If you can help us and have not already spoken to our officers, please report online or call 101 quoting Operation Login.

"Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"Our thoughts are with Abdul's family and friends at this tragic time and we have specialist family liaison officers supporting them."

Police at the scene in Elm Grove

Two of Abdul's brothers, Abdullah, 18, and Jaffar, 17, were killed fighting in Syria in 2014.

They were fighting to otherthrow the government of Bashar Al-Assad.

It is understood that a third brother, Amer, went to Syria and also fought. In September The Argus reported that he was still alive and well.

Abdullah and Jaffar Deghayes

Their father, Abubaker, was jailed for 18 months in August after being found guilty of attempting to intimidate his wife in a court case against him.

Read more on this story: Father's 'great shock' at losing son to stabbing in Brighton

He was found not guilty of assaulting his wife after a three day trial, but had tried to get her to drop the charge against him.

The court had warned him not to make any contact with her as a condition of his bail, but he contacted his wife's brother.

He said she could leave the country and threatened to have her shot if she did not comply.

Abubaker Deghayes

The Deghayes brothers are nephews of Omar Deghayes, from Saltdean, who was held at Guantánamo Bay between 2002 and 2007.

Previously, there was a campaign to bring him back from the prison in Cuba, and was pictured when returning to the UK.

Omar Deghayes

A student who lives in Elm Grove said: “I got a message through about a stabbing from my housemate last night.

“All the police cars were outside our house, and one of my friends had to be escorted by a policeman at 1am to get back in.

“It is scary and frightening, it has been a shock.”

Meanwhile a French student visiting the city and walking down the hill said: “I always thought it was a calm city, I never thought there would be something like this. You don’t expect it here anyway.

“There is a school right up the road so you expect it to be child-friendly, so if it was a stabbing it is extremely surprising.”

Police have so far confirmed that a man was attacked and suffered serious injuries.

Motorists have faced diversions, and Brighton and Hove Buses says the road is likely to remain closed for most of the day.

One pensioner who was walking down from Albion Hill to catch a bus to visit her husband who is: "These youngsters with knives are out of control.

"I won't go out at night."

Read more on this story: Father describes 'great shock' at losing his third son to stabbing