American YPG fighter Broomfield loses his life in Kobanê 2015-06-11 11:50:09 KOBANÊ (DİHA) - It has been confirmed that Keith Broomfield, 36, has become the first American fighter in the ranks of the People's Protection Units (YPG) to have been killed fighting the ISIS in Rojava (Northern Syria). Keith Broomfiled, nom de guerre Gelhat Rûmet, travelled to Rojava to join the fight against the ISIS four months ago. He is thought to have been killed in the countryside surrounding Kobanê. Speaking to NBC Idris Nassan, Kobanê Co-deputy Foreign Minister confirmed that Gelhat Rûmet had been killed in the area. The fighter's mother Donna Broomfield, speaking through tears said she was "Waiting for his body to come back". YPG Media Center released a written statement noting, "The honorable resistance expressed by combatants of the YPG and the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) against Daesh (ISIS) terrorists and their sympathizing forces in Rojava enjoys not only the care of Kurdish young generation but also it catches attention of all humanity – on the base that this resistance protects human values and tries to spread the spirit of brotherhood among societies throughout the entire world, it embraces resilient youth from around the world without seeing religion, nationality or language as obstacles on its way. The stage of contribution by young volunteers from the west was augmented during the historical resistance of Kobanê; an involvement that comes from real belief has always been an honor for our forces, particularly when we found these volunteers have had practiced true comradery, fought against terrorists and made the ultimate sacrifice as some of them have been martyred in action – offering their lives to prove fraternity. As late comrade Ashley Johnston who came from Australia and comrade Konstandinos Scurfield from England, joined YPG fighting ranks, and were martyred on the fields of battle in Cizîrê Canton; today we announce martyrdom of our comrade, Keith Thomas Broomfield (Gelhat). Comrade Keith volunteered from America and chose Kobanê for his training and fight, he heroically supported most of the operations rural Kobanê liberation, battled to the end and was martyred in action on June 3 during an operation in Qenterê village, Kobanê. His great desire was to learn Kurdish 'When I arrived in Kobanê, I felt like I had acquired what I was long searching for', Keith was quoted while he was expressing approaches first he reached the city. From his great desire for learning Kurdish language and getting deep into knowing the ideology that the YPG has been built upon, to connecting himself to an honest friendship among our comrades, were all signs that he had joined us with an abundant and decisive faith. Above all we respect the decent determination of comrade Keith that he merged acting upon, we do remember and honor his true morale and friendship, as we today report his martyrdom. On this basis, we as the combatants of the People’s/Women’s Defense Units, particularly in Kobanê region, extend our deepest sympathies to the family of comrade Keith, proud American and Kurdish people, we do renew our vow to realize wishes of all fallen martyrs – once more remembering objectives of the struggle of YPG which mainly are to get to the principles of a free and common life for the people. Thus we call on all those who desire for freedom to step forward and actively expand their connection with our forces in Rojava." According to YPG Media Center his profile is as follows: Nom De Guerre: Gelhat Rûmet Name: Keith Broomfield Mother’s/Father’s Name: Dana / Thomas Date/Place of Birth: March 8, 1978 / Massachusetts, USA Joined: February 24, 2015 / Kobanê Martyred: June 3, 2015 / Qenterê, Kobanê (nt)