- Aidan James, from Liverpool is currently fighting ISIS alongside the YPG in Syria
- However, he fears that U.K. officials may charge him with terrorist offenses upon his return
- James is one of scores of foreign fighters who have joined the fight from across the political spectrum
- However, critics say that they are merely adding more foreign bloodshed to the bloody conflict
A British father has told of his fears that U.K. intelligence chiefs will classify him as a terrorist because he traveled to fight ISIS in Syria.
Aidan James, 27, from Liverpool traveled to the war-torn state in recent months in order to fight alongside the Kurdish YPG in their battle against ISIS militants.
James claims that the decision to risk his life on the battlefield came after seeing terror attacks committed by the group in Iraq, Syria, and Europe.
“I chose the YPG because they are a force fighting for [the] freedom of their people, solidarity, unity, feminism, humanity, and peace,” he told The Liverpool Echo.
“The YPG basically means the people’s defense force. They stand against oppression and persecution,” he added.
Meanwhile, James - who operates under the nom de guerre Sevan Firas - claims that he is proud to tackle terrorism face on.
“I have been out here for a couple of months [and] I feel proud to be here and helping in the fight against terror,” he added.
Despite his pride, James fears to return to the U.K. as he believes that security forces may treat him as a terrorist.
“We all get scared but we all know the risks of being here and are willing to die to defend people here and our countries back home,” he said.
James, who is currently fighting alongside other international fighters from the U.K. and elsewhere in the West, claims that the security services have already contacted his family about his decision to travel to Syria.
The YPG is not currently banned in Britain, however, anyone returning from the conflict faces a police interview to determine whether they have committed a crime or pose a security risk.
James now wants people in the U.K. and elsewhere to understand the brutality of ISIS in Syria and elsewhere.
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“I just want people to know what is happening here. There are people being killed in ways that are unthinkable... people need to know the truth and open up to what is really happening here,” he said.
“As I am here, I still see attacks going on back home. That outrages me and upsets me - this is all of our problem, all of our struggle,” he added.
Scores of Western fighters are now fighting alongside the YPG in the fight against ISIS.
Western media outlets often paint them as heroes in the battle against ISIS militants.
However, critics say that Westerners who travel to Syria, whether to fight for ISIS or alongside the YPG are merely fuelling the bloodshed in the already brutal conflict.
Last month, the Henry Jackson Society released a report entitled ‘The Forgotten Foreign Fighters: The PKK in Syria” in which it was suggested that Britain should treat those who wish to join the YPG as potential terrorists and ban them from traveling to the conflict zone in the way same way as ISIS militants.
Four British men killed fighting Isis since the first volunteers arrived in Syria in the autumn of 2014.
International battalions such as the Bob Crow brigade fight alongside Kurdish troops against ISIS but also right against other Islamist rebel groups.
The war has attracted foreign fighters with anarchist socialist principles but has also lured right-wing Christian fundamentalists and ex-military vets from abroad.
Kurdish militias such as the YPG are often portrayed as liberal heroes by Western media outlets.
However, the groups face a number of abuse allegations against displaced Arab and Kurdish citizens.
The YPG is also accused of using child soldiers despite pledges to end the practice and many displaced citizens have had their documents seized and are being held in camps linked to the group.
