By Debbie Gregory.
A former production manager who joined a Kurdish foreign brigade is believed to be the first American volunteer to die fighting Islamic State (ISIS).
Keith Broomfield was killed while fighting Islamic State militants in Syria. But Broomfield didn’t die in the ranks of the nation’s troops. He was killed while fighting members of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, alongside the Kurdish People’s Protection Union, also known by the initials YPG. Broomfield felt it was his destiny to go to Syria, believing that it was God’s will. His mother, Donna, said. “I didn’t want him to go but I didn’t have a choice in the matter.”
After a motorcycle accident left Broomfield with chronic pain, he rediscovered his faith and the pain went away, his father said. Later, he told his father he was called to fight in Syria.
“Keith got his heart straight and it was after that he said, ‘Dad I’m gonna go do this. I’ve seen what’s going on and it doesn’t make a lot of sense, but I have to go do this,’” his father said.
“He turned his life over to the Lord and he decided this was God’s will and God wanted him to do it,” his mother added.
Friends described Broomfield, 36, as a car and motorcycle enthusiast who embraced his passions headlong.
A group of American Kurds attended the June 17th funeral to show their support.
“He passed away in our land for us,” said Abdul Tammo, of Hartford, Connecticut. “He supported us, so we’re here to support him.”
Broomfield’s sister, Jennifer shared her thoughts on her FaceBook page. “My brother died to defend my sisters who are being sold, enslaved, raped and murdered. To defend my brothers who are shot beheaded and dumped into piles off trucks.”
Numerous Americans are believed to have traveled overseas to join the YPG, in their fight against ISIS. However, Broomfield is believed to be the first U.S. citizen to die fighting alongside the YPG.
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American Fighting Alongside YPG Killed: Military Connection: by Debbie Gregory
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