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US, British Volunteer Fighters in Forward Role in IS Battle

by Associated Press

   RAQQA, SYRIA --

   Several U.S. and British volunteer fighters are on the front lines in
   the battle against the Islamic State group for the Syrian city of
   Raqqa.

   They joined U.S.-allied militias in Syria for different reasons, some
   motivated by testimonies of survivors of the unimaginable brutality
   that IS flaunted in establishing its self-proclaimed caliphate.

   For Taylor Hudson, a 33-year old from Pasadena, IS extremists
   "represent everything that is wrong with humanity."

   Macer Gifford, a 30-year former City broker in London, came to Syria
   three years ago to volunteer first with the Kurdish militia. Now he is
   fighting with an Assyrian militia, also part of the U.S-backed forces
   battling IS militants.

   He says: "I am here defending the people of Syria against terrorists."

   The U.S.-backed forces launched the push on Raqqa in June.