The British Woman Risking Everything To Fight ISIS

Blackburn born Kimberly Taylor is fighting ISIS with the Women’s Protection Units in Syria’s unofficial “capital” Raqqa. Women who fight against ISIS in this stronghold have two incentives: they fight for a better future, with more freedom and rights, and the Islamic belief that a soldier will not go to paradise if he is killed by a woman.

The 27-year-old is believed to be the first female Brit to have travelled to Syria to fight against ISIS – and made headlines earlier this year for her efforts. Her original intent to stay for just a few weeks changed when she got invited by a women’s organization to write about the women’s revolution.

“Why would I go home to continue studying books about politics and revolution when I can live the life of them?” says the Brit, who is also known by her adoptive Kurdish name Zilan Dilber. She fights alongside Kurdish and Arab women alike.

The UN estimates there are still between 20-50,000 civilians in Raqqa and has called for the US-backed coalition to call a temporary halt to its assault in order to evacuate more civilians. For the YPJ women, fighting on the front line is about more than the immediate battle against ISIS.

Videographer / director: Deniz
Producer: Nathalie Bonney, Ruby Coote
Editor: Sonia Estal, Joshua Douglas