Hairdresser from Croydon fighting 'inhuman' Isis militants on frontline in Iraq
Kurdish-born Mama Kurda was one of the first Peshmerga fighters on the Mosul Dam when it was recaptured this week
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A 26-year-old British hairdresser from Croydon who is fighting against the Islamist extremist forces of Isis in Iraq has told how he has faced “inhuman” enemies who want to be killed.
Kurdish-born Mama Kurda is fighting with the Peshmerga forces who have been pushing back Isis, also known as Islamic State, in northern Iraq with the help of US airstrikes.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper that he had taken part in gunbattles in the towns of Makhmur and Gwer. He was also one of the first Peshmerga fighters on the Mosul Dam when it was recaptured from Isis this week.
Mr Kurda admitted he was “pretty scared” during his first battle, saying the jihadist fighters “come to be killed”.
“What I saw from their eyes is they come to be killed 200 per cent because they are brainwashed they will go straight to heaven,” he said.
“I don’t know [if he had killed anyone] but I hope so. I really hope I have that chance because I know what they are. They are inhuman.”
He left London for Erbil, the Iraq Kurds’ capital, this month as Isis fighters advanced to within a 30-minute drive of the city.
“When I saw my Kurdish brothers and sisters being killed by these terrorists I was angry in my heart,” he said.
“I couldn’t stop myself and stay home. People say, ‘If you have a British passport why are you doing this? You could get out’. But I am fighting to save people’s lives.
“I am proud to be British and fighting against terrorists to help defend the UK. Especially when I read 500 people with the terrorists are from Britain. I have to show to the world there is a British citizen fighting against them.
“They are raping Kurdish women and killing Kurdish kids. But they are not only a threat to the Kurdish people. Once they control here they could attack Europe and the UK.”
He said the British people fighting with Isis was mostly “young” and “easily brainwashed”, but said he would not hesitate if he met one. “I would kill him,” he said.
Mr Kurda said he would return to “my normal job” in London when the fighting was over.
“London is a big part of my life. I love the UK,” he said. “I have been fighting against terrorists and I have full proof so I’m not worried.”
A Home Office spokesman told the Mirror that fighting overseas was not “automatically an offence”, saying it would “depend on the nature of the conflict and the individual’s own activities”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.