YPG Press Office announced the identities of 6 male and 2 female fighters martyred in Raqqa and Efrîn between July 16 to 23. One of the martyred fighters was David Taylor from the US.

The YPG announcement said:

“Our internationalist fighter Comrade Zafer Qerecox (David Taylor) was also martyred fighting against enemies of humanity ISIS gangs in Raqqa on July 16. Comrade Zafer marched on the path of Demhat Goldman, Rodi Deysie and Soro Zinar and made the Rojava revolution the hope of emancipation for humanity, and dozens of internationalist revolutionaries continue on their path and join the ranks of the YPG.

David Taylor was born in February 1991 in Florida, USA to working class parents. He majored in Philosophy and spent 4 years in the US army afterwards. He joined the YPG in May 2017 and chose the name Zafer Qerecox. He was loved among his comrades, he had a big heart and was a very conscientious comrade, and an expert at what he did. Comrade Zafer had once said, ‘I joined the YPG to fight against ISIS fascism. I am ready for any and all sacrifices I have to do for the Rojava Revolution.’ He was martyred in Raqqa on July 16. The struggle of our internationalist fighter will be crowned with victory.

As the People’s Defense Units (YPG) and the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ), we commemorate all martyrs of the revolution in the persons of Şevîn, Sozdar, Zafer, Bêrîtan, Egid, Ferhad, Kûrtay and Simko and we promise to carry their sacred cause into victory. We offer our condolences for the families of the martyrs and our patriotic people.”