Tunisian Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou. (EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA)

Netizens are casting doubt over recent statements from Tunisia's interior minister, who said Tunisian women are being used for sexual favours by fighters in Syria.

In a meeting with the National Constituent Assembly Thursday, Lofti ben Jeddou reportedly told MPs that women are being trafficked to Syria and returning home pregnant.

Ben Jeddou added that the women "have sexual relations with 20, 30, 100" fighters, and said it is done in the name of jihad al-nikah or  "jihad marriage" - though there was no apparent religious leader calling for the practice."Jihad marriage" has been attributed to renowned Saudi Sheikh al-Arifi, who later denied those links.