Syria's information ministry said on Friday that it is still working to track down journalists who have entered the unrest-torn country illegally, vowing to step up measures against them as well as their employers.

In a statement carried by the state-run SANA news agency, the ministry lambasted the work of the unlicensed journalists, saying that they are accompanying "terrorists" and fabricating news.

The ministry said it will hold the foreign media sending those reporters responsible for what might happen to them due to their connection to the "armed terrorist groups."

The ministry renewed its call on foreign media outlets to go through proper procedures for their journalists to enter Syria, adding that they have granted permission to over 365 Arab and Western media since the eruption of unrest in March 2011.

Many foreign journalists have snuck into Syria through bordering countries such as Lebanon and Turkey. They somehow managed to get in touch with armed rebels who are active in central Homs and northern Idlib provinces.

Four foreign journalists have been killed in Syria in the yearlong crisis. The latest incident was the killing of Marie Colvin, an American working for Britain's Sunday Times, and French photographer Remi Ochlik.