Iraq

“He Believed in Opposing Evil”: Family of Mass. Native Killed Battling ISIS Speaks

The family of an American who died fighting alongside Kurdish forces against the Islamic State group in Syria said he was on a mission to put an end to evil, and that he knew the dangers associated with that fight.

Keith Broomfield, a native of Bolton, Massachusetts, died on June 3 during a battle in a Syrian village near Kobani, making him likely the first U.S. citizen to die fighting alongside Kurds against ISIS.

In Turkey, the grateful cheers of the Kurds were heard as they marched alongside Bromfield's body when it was returned across the border a week after his death. That celebration juxtaposed with the somber emotions half a world away of Broomfield's family, who knew the 36-year-old was willing to give his life for this cause.

"It's been a tough time for us," Broomfield's father, Tom Broomfield, said Thursday in Bolton. "But we have peace of mind."

Corinne Maleski, Keith Broomfield's sister, called her brother "a strong person" and a good uncle to her children.

"We have a wonderful family. It's broken," she said. "There's a hole there. It's hard to face that that won't ever be the same."

Andy Broomfield said he was shocked when his brother first told him about his plans, but ultimately came to understand the decision.

"He believed in opposing evil," Andy Broomfield said. "Somebody needs to stand up and oppose evil."

Tom Broomfield said his son knew that it was "a crazy thing to do," but felt strongly that he needed to help out in some way.

"He didn't know anybody there. He had no contacts," he said. "He just felt he should be going."

Keith Broomfield left the successful family manufacturing business behind and joined the militia known as YPG back in February, losing touch with his parents and five siblings back home.

He spoke in a video the Kurdish group released on its Facebook page. It's unclear when it was recorded.

"I'm here to do what I can to help Kurdistan, with everything that's been going on, it seems like the right thing to do," he said in the video.

The FBI estimates 200 Americans have joined the fight against Isis.

Broomfield is likely the first American killed alongside the militia, who think of him as a martyr.

"He's been called a hero and brave, and I agree that he was brave and he was a fighter. He was a good uncle to my children," added his sister Corinne Maleski.

It had been widely reported that family members had retrieved the body Thursday. That is not true, says family,

Officials hope the body will be returned Saturday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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