Syria: Ex-Royal Marine becomes first Briton to die 'fighting against Isis'

An American volunteer fighting against the Islamic State (Isis) alongside Kurdish YPG forces in Syria has claimed that a British national and former Royal Marine has died while battling jihadists.

Ex-US soldier Jordan Matson, 28, who joined the Kurdish People's Protection Units last September, wrote on Facebook that "I lost a brother very close to me...from the United Kingdom and former royal marine gave his life combating terrorism for his nation and kurdistan".

"It was an honor and a privilege to fight at your side brother. You were one of my best friends," he wrote."Save a place up there for me big guy... I love you brother."

The British Minister of Defence refused to comment on the issue to IBTimes UK.

"We do not comment on former Royal Marine members," a spokesperson said.

The Foreign Office said it is difficult to confirm the news as the UK has no diplomatic relations with Syria.

IBTimes UK chose not to publish his name until the family has been made aware of his death. He is believed to be the first Briton to have died fighting against IS.

The report has been confirmed by a YPG commander in Rojava region to Guney Yildiz, a BBC Newshour Journalist:

UPDATE: The former British Royal Marine killed in Syria has been named as Konstandinos Erik Scurfield, 25, from Barnsley. He was killed near the city of Qamishli on the border with Turkey.

According to Kurdish sources, Scurfield arrived in Syria in December and was well respected among his fellow volunteers. Scurfield's Facebook account revealed that he was preoccupied with social justice issues.

In one post, he quotes the German anti-Nazi revolutionary Sophie Scholl as saying "How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anyone willing to give himself up individually to a righteous cause?"

In another picture, he leans forward in front of a poster of Malcom X.