Multiple reports have now identified Haukur Hilmarsson, an Icelandic national born in 1986, as one of the victims of a Turkish military strike on the city of Afrin in Syria. The attack took place on February 24. Haukur was a tireless environmental and human rights activist. He fought as a team commander with Kurdish militants against the so-called Islamic State in Syria. Haukur participating in the battle of Raqqa where the IS was crushed.
Read more: Icelandic national said to have been killed in Turkish attacks on Kurdish militants in Syria
The leftist International Freedom Battalion, an armed group of foreign fighters who fight with the Kurdish People's Protection Units in Syria against IS in Syria put out an announcement yesterday celebrating Haukur as an immortal martyr.
Participated in the defeat of IS
Haukur joined the IFB in July 2017. He had initially attempted to join YPG and the International Freedom Battalion in Iraq, but was turned around and deported to Iceland. He then returned to the Middle East and joined the fight against IS in Syria where he gained honor and respect in the bloody battles of Raqqa, as the IFB statement puts it.
He was popular and trusted by all comrades, and was chosen as a representative on the committee of the tabur.
After having participated in the defeat of IS in Syria, Haukur had planned to leave for Iceland. However, he chose to stay fighting alongside his Kurdish comrades to fight Turkish troops who have been attacking Kurdish forces in Syria. The YPG statement argues he chose to confront the invading colonial fascist forces of Turkey and their jihadi allies.
It was in this fight he fell a martyr, in Afrin. In death we say he has become immortal. For we will never forget his struggle, his name, and his example – and we shall never give up his fight.
The martyrs are immortal! Sehid Namirin!
Haukur enjoyed widespread respect in the Icelandic activist community. His humility, deep empathy and powerful sense of justice, and fierce fighting spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who worked with him or met him.
we at Iceland Insider extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Haukur. We all mourn the loss of one of Iceland's best sons.
Multiple reports have now identified Haukur Hilmarsson, an Icelandic national born in 1986, as one of the victims of a Turkish military strike on the city of Afrin in Syria. The attack took place on February 24. Haukur was a tireless environmental and human rights activist. He fought as a team commander with Kurdish militants against the so-called Islamic State in Syria. Haukur participating in the battle of Raqqa where the IS was crushed.
Read more: Icelandic national said to have been killed in Turkish attacks on Kurdish militants in Syria
The leftist International Freedom Battalion, an armed group of foreign fighters who fight with the Kurdish People's Protection Units in Syria against IS in Syria put out an announcement yesterday celebrating Haukur as an immortal martyr.
Participated in the defeat of IS
Haukur joined the IFB in July 2017. He had initially attempted to join YPG and the International Freedom Battalion in Iraq, but was turned around and deported to Iceland. He then returned to the Middle East and joined the fight against IS in Syria where he gained honor and respect in the bloody battles of Raqqa, as the IFB statement puts it.
He was popular and trusted by all comrades, and was chosen as a representative on the committee of the tabur.
After having participated in the defeat of IS in Syria, Haukur had planned to leave for Iceland. However, he chose to stay fighting alongside his Kurdish comrades to fight Turkish troops who have been attacking Kurdish forces in Syria. The YPG statement argues he chose to confront the invading colonial fascist forces of Turkey and their jihadi allies.
It was in this fight he fell a martyr, in Afrin. In death we say he has become immortal. For we will never forget his struggle, his name, and his example – and we shall never give up his fight.
The martyrs are immortal! Sehid Namirin!
Haukur enjoyed widespread respect in the Icelandic activist community. His humility, deep empathy and powerful sense of justice, and fierce fighting spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who worked with him or met him.
we at Iceland Insider extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Haukur. We all mourn the loss of one of Iceland's best sons.
