American in Syria dies aiding Kurds

ORLANDO, Fla. — A former Marine who secretly traveled to Syria to fight in the war against the Islamic State extremist group was killed this month while fighting for a Kurdish militia group, his father said Tuesday.

David Taylor, 25, a former Florida resident, had kept his plans a secret from his family until after he arrived in Syria and began training with the People’s Protection Units, Taylor’s father, David Taylor Sr., said Tuesday.

On July 16, a Kurdish militia group released a video saying Taylor was “martyred fighting ISIS’ barbarism,” using an acronym for the Islamic State.