Australian Jamie Bright reportedly killed fighting against Islamic State for Kurdish forces

AN Australian who joined Kurdish forces to fight against IS in Syria has been killed, according to reports.

Australian Jamie Bright joined the YPG to volunteer in the fight against Islamic State but has reportedly been killed

AN AUSTRALIAN man has died in Syria after being shot while fighting against Islamic State, according to Kurdish forces.

The death of the man, named as Jamie Bright, 45, was announced on Facebook this morning by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, or YPG.

“Sadly another Australian volunteer who joined the YPG has died,” the post said, referring to Mr Bright as a “martyr”.

“He joined on the 15th of December 2015. Martyred in southern Shaddadi in southern Raqqa. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts and support are with his family. May God help them.

“The 25th of December is an historical day in Rojava’s history, a day which has been proven on that the people of Rojava are not alone against dark forces. We will never forget you and will never let you down and we will continue your struggle.”

It is not known whether Mr Bright’s family in Western Australia has been informed of his death. He is understood to be divorced, with an adult son.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) said it was unable to confirm his death, but says Australians should not travel to Syria.

Friends it's so sad Australian YPG hero Jamie Bright, Heval Gabar, martyred in the fight against daesh #SehidNamirin pic.twitter.com/VmuhVxIzYK

— Rojava (@AzadiRojava) May 29, 2016

BREAKING: Social media reports that Australian YPG fighter Jamie Bright was killed fighting ISIS in #Syria. pic.twitter.com/cbJdig5qE9

— Conflict News (@Conflicts) May 29, 2016

News of Jamie Bright’s apparent death broke on social media

“The Australian Government’s capacity to confirm reports of deaths in Syria is extremely limited,” a spokeswoman told The Australian.

“Due to the exceptionally dangerous security situation, DFAT is not able to provide consular assistance in Syria, which is listed as a ‘do not travel’ destination in DFAT’s travel advice.”

An Australian who fought alongside him in Syria told News Corp his friend was definitely dead.

“He was shot about three or four days ago,” the source said. “I’ve had it confirmed.”

The friend said that Mr Bright was fighting for justice for the Kurdish people, whose lands in northern Syria are overrun by ISIS.

The friend said Mr Bright crossed over into Syria from Turkey in January 2015, choosing a different route to most of the foreign anti-ISIS fighters, who typically fly to northern Iraq to make contact with the Kurds.

“He told me that when was crossing the border there were rounds fired off by the Turks at them, but he got smuggled across the border,” the friend said. “He just rocked up and found the right people.

“He’s one of the nicest guys you’d ever meet. Laid back, casual, the classic Australian overseas. A decent bloke.”

Shaddadi, in northeastern Syria, was until recently occupied by Islamic State.

Rojava is a name used by the Kurds to describe Syrian Kurdistan.

Mr Bright, who had reportedly taken the Kurdish name Gabar Amed, is the third Australian known to have been killed fighting with the YPG since February last year.

Two others, Reece Harding and Ashley Johnston, both from Queensland, have been killed while fighting with Kurdish forces.

Another fighter, Ashley Dyball, also known as Mitchell Scott, was deported home to Australia from Germany in December.

Originally published as Australian Jamie Bright reportedly killed fighting against Islamic State for Kurdish forces