Tributes posted online for Australian soldier reportedly killed fighting ISIL in Syria

An Australian who travelled to Syria to join Kurds battling jihadists has reportedly been killed.

A Facebook page dedicated to the Kurdish People’s Protection Units or YPG paid tribute to a fighter known as Heval Bagok Serhed and named elsewhere online as Ashley.

The Lions of Rojava page posted a number of photos and videos purporting to be of the fallen solider but his identity has not yet been confirmed.

“We the YPG regretfully inform you of the death of one of our bravest western fighters Heval Bagok Serhed,” the post read.

“He is the first western fighter to be martyred fighting the evil of ISIS. Rest in Peace our Brother.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they were aware of the reports an Australian had been killed in northern Syria.

"The Australian Government’s capacity to confirm reports of deaths in either Syria or Iraq is extremely limited," a DFAT spokesman said. 

"Due to the extremely dangerous security situation, consular assistance is no longer available within Syria. 

"Australians who become involved in overseas conflicts are putting their own lives in mortal danger. 

"Any Australians fighting with non-state militia in Syria or Iraq should end their involvement in the conflict now and leave the conflict zone. 

"Australians are strongly advised not to travel to Syria or Iraq; any Australians in either country should leave immediately. 

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had reported the fighter's death on Tuesday, but was unable to confirm his nationality until now.

"An Australian man was killed in an assault on Tuesday by the Islamic State against a position of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) near Tal Hamis in Hasakeh province," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said.

"Dozens of Westerners have joined the YPG's ranks.

“There are foreigners fighting on all sides of Syria's war.”

The report led to increased concern for the welfare of Northern Territory Labor figure Matthew Gardiner, who left Australia in January and is believed to have gone to Syria to support Kurdish forces in their fight against ISIL.

Mr Gardiner is a trained nurse and the ABC reported that he is believed to be in the area of the Hasakeh province providing medical assistance to the soldiers.

He has not made contact with the media since his disappearance.

Following reports Mr Gardiner had joined the fight against ISIL, Attorney-General George Brandis reaffirmed that joining the conflict on either side was illegal.

“If you fight illegally in overseas conflicts, you face up to life in prison upon your return to Australia,” a spokesperson for Mr Brandis said.

“It is illegal to fight in Syria for either side of the conflict. It is illegal to fight for a terrorist organisation anywhere, including in Iraq.”

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