British man Dean Evans 'dies fighting Islamic State militants' in Syria

Volunteer fighter: Dean Evans is believed to have travelled to Syria to fight against Islamic State
YPG/Youtube
Jamie Bullen2 August 2016

A young British man who travelled to Syria to fight Islamic State jihadists has been killed, according to his father.

Dean Evans, 22, of Reading, died while fighting alongside Kurdish forces in Manbij, a city in the Aleppo district of Syria.

It is understood he was fatally wounded during an operation to reclaim the city from Islamic State forces.

His death was confirmed in a Facebook post by his father John who posted a tribute to his son with a picture of him in military uniform.

Tributes: His death was announced on Facebook by his father John while Kurdish fighters have also paid tribute
YPG/Youtube

He wrote: “'To all my friends and family for those who knew my son Dean Carl Evans the young age of 22 sadly lost his life in Sierra (sic) fighting for our country.

“I would like to say a massive big thank you to all my friends and family who sent there condolence for the loss of my son.

“He would have been very proud and would have regarded you all as his brothers and sisters, thank you again.”

It is believed the 22-year-old was a volunteer fighter with the International Brigades of Rojava, a global group battling against so-called Islamic State.

He apparently fought with the YPG, also known as the People’s Protection Units, a group of trained Kurdish soldiers.

Kurdish fighters paid tribute to Mr Evans and a Slovenian man who was also killed during the gun battle.

A message read: “Two warriors were revolutionary and combative spirit in the front lines.”

It added the pair “fought without hesitation to protect the people of this region”.

His death has neither been confirmed or denied by the Foreign Office.

A spokesman said: "The UK has advised for some time against all travel to Syria.

"As all UK consular services there are suspended, it is extremely difficult to confirm the status and whereabouts of British Nationals in Syria. Anyone who does travel to these areas, for whatever reason, is putting themselves in considerable danger.”

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