Trial continues for 'terrorist' fighting terrorism in Syria

A court has heard how a 28-year-old British man 'fuelled violence and devastation' in Syria by travelling to fight against ISIS.

The Old Bailey heard how Aidan James, who had no previous military knowledge, set out to join the war in 2017 alongside the YPG Kurdish militia. His alleged four months of combat was described as 'terrorism, even if his eventual fighting was against other terrorists'.

James denies terrorism offences and the trial continues.

Prosecutor Mark Heywood QC told jurors violence in Syria had been fuelled by the involvement of individuals on all sides with no prior link with the land or its people and that James had 'lent his support to advance a political or ideological cause'.

He is accused of receiving training from the PKK, a banned group, including weapons, before going on to fight with the People's Protection Unit known as the YPG in Syria.