A Kurdish militia said Wednesday that a former British Royal Marine was killed in Syria during battle with the Islamic State group.
Kurdish Popular Protection Units (YPG) said “British volunteer martyr” Erik Scurfield was killed Monday. Fellow fighters named him “Konstandinos.” If confirmed, Mr. Scurfield would be the first Briton killed while fighting with Kurdish forces.
“We are aware of reports of the death of a British national in Syria,” the U.K.’s Foreign Office said March 4, BBC reported. “As we do not have any representation in Syria it is extremely difficult to get any confirmation of deaths or injuries and our options for supporting British nationals there are extremely limited,” the statement added.
YPG also asked Mr. Scurfield’s family if they could bury him in Syria as a martyr, BBC reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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