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Ex-Marine killed in Syria 'wanted to make a difference'

The former Royal Marine killed fighting against Islamic State in Syria went to the war-torn country to "help other people and to make a difference", his former girlfriend said.

Konstandinos Erik Scurfield from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was reportedly shot dead on Monday while fighting alongside Kurdish forces in the frontline village of Tel Khuzela.

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100 Westerners believed to have joined Kurds fighting IS

Around 100 people from Western countries - including a number of Britons - are believed to have gone to Syria to join Kurdish forces battling against Islamic State militants.

The figures come as it emerged ex-Royal Marine Konstandinos Erik Scurfield, from Barnsley, has become the first Brit to be killed in the fight against the violent terror group.

Last month, a 19-year-old soldier from the UK, based in Cyprus, was returned to his unit after joining the Kurdish peshmerga, telling family "these guys need our help".

And in December, it was reported that two former British soldiers had also joined the operation against Islamic State, saying they had been "compelled" to help after the murder of aid worker Alan Henning.

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