(REUTERS) - The killing of two Japanese nationals by the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria has prompted the Japanese Table Tennis Association to withdraw from tournaments in Kuwait and Qatar.

The JTTA had planned to send 33 competitors to the Kuwait and Qatar Open later this month, but withdrew on advice from the Japanese government for its citizens not to travel to the Middle East, Kyodo reported.

The Kuwait Open runs from Feb 11 to 15, while the Qatar event in Doha is from Feb 17 to 22. Both tournaments are part of the World Tour.