Don't be seduced by Islamic State propaganda, warns Kurdish fighter

A father of four from Leeds has been describing how he spent nearly two years against fighting so called Islamic State forces in Iraq. Mushen Rahem is now back home in the city - and is urging potential recruits to Islamic State not to be taken in by their propaganda.

Originally from Kurdistan, Mushen now holds a British passport but in 2014 he travelled back with his wife and children to join the Kurdish forces in their fight against the extremist group. He says that he knew how dangerous it would be, but he felt he could not sit back and do nothing.

Others from Britain have joined in the fight against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Konstandinos Eric Scurfield from Royston, South Yorkshire, became the first Briton to die fighting ISIS in Syria in 2015.

There is also Yasir Abdulla, a security guard from Keighley, who told ITV News how he went back to his home country of Kurdistan for six months to take on ISIS fighters.

Mushen says he cannot understand why young people from Britain are travelling abroad to join Islamic State.

The Foreign Office advise against travelling to central areas of Iraq, and advise against all but essential travel to the rest of the country, including the remainder of the Kurdistan region.

They warn that armed groups control various parts of the country, while kidnapping risks are high, and that anyone who travels to the country to fight for extremist groups such as Islamic State could be prosecuted if they return to the UK.

Mushen has travelled back to the UK alone as two of his daughter's passports have expired - but hopes they will soon be able to return to Leeds.

He says in the meantime he will attempt to return to normal life, feeling he has fulfilled a duty in fighting extremism in his homeland.

• Click below to see Mushen's story: