Syria war 'too pointless', says father of Briton killed fighting IS militants

The father of a British man killed fighting Islamic State militants in Syria said he thought his son was working as a farmer in England and had no idea he had travelled to the war-torn country.

Dean Carl Evans, from Reading, Berkshire, is understood to have died in fighting near Manbij, an IS stronghold in northern Syria last month.

The 22-year-old had been fighting alongside the YPG (People's Protection Units) against IS extremists when he is said to have been shot and then hit by a rocket.

Mr Evans's father told ITV News his son had done what he believed was right, and had wanted to become involved with the military from a young age.

He said his son "was army barmy all the time", adding: "As he got older he joined the Army cadets and stated that he wanted to join the Army and military but unfortunately he failed his medical because of asthma."

Mr Evans's father, who is not identified in the ITV interview, said he had no knowledge of his son's activities until he was informed of his death.

He said: "I thought he was just a farmer in Wiltshire. He was a farmer ... I know that for dead set but I had no idea that last year he'd already been out there (in Syria) and went in January this year and passed away in July."

Footage posted by the International Brigades of Rojava after his death appeared to show Mr Evans cocking a machine gun along with a picture of him wearing webbing with an assault rifle slung over his shoulder.

Mr Evans's father said he is proud of his son but advised other parents to warn their children off going to such warzones.

He said: "It's a war that's never gonna end. It's a waste. A neverending situation. I'd strongly advise them (other parents) to give their son advice not to go out there and do it. Too pointless, too dangerous. It's all religion and politics. Do not, anyone, go out there. You might feel you're doing good but at the end of the day, you're not achieving anything."