MOSCOW, January 5 (Sputnik) – An increasing number of foreigners have joined the fight against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, wanting to protect local civilians on the ground from the savagery of the terrorist group, Reuters reported on Monday.
It is reported that a few dozen Westerners have joined Kurds fighting the IS in Northern Syria. Foreign recruits include those from the United States, Canada, Germany and Britain.
Foreigners joined #YPG against #ISIS PHOTO: YPG fighters from #America #Britain & #Germany in #Kurdistan.. @CENTCOM pic.twitter.com/VGI73yXu5U
— INDEPEND☮ KURDISTAN (@kurdistanlive) 2 декабря 2014
Many foreign fighters said they decided to join the fight against the IS after seeing what the radicals had done to local populations, as well as captured Westerners, who were decapitated.
However, the number of foreigners fighting against the IS is minuscule, when compared to an estimated 16,000 fighters from more than 90 countries, who have joined the radical Sunni group since 2012.
ISIS has executed 100 foreigners trying to quit: report #military http://t.co/l2PEFdIkZh pic.twitter.com/qgu7gc2VEC
— Military Trending (@militarylizer) 22 декабря 2014
Foreign fighters, who have joined the fight against IS, are worried about legal repercussions when they return home. Many of them choose to stay anonymous.