British man sells house to go to Iraq to fight IS

Working as a nightclub bouncer, prison guard and construction worker, Tim Locks had a comfortable bachelor life. Suddenly, one day, everything material became meaningless when he decided to sell his assets to go to Iraq to fight ISIS.

Tim Locks. Photo: Mirror

The missile launched with a loud bang and the sound pierced the air. Tim Locks had to wait a few seconds before the missile hit its target. Dust and smoke rose from a building. It was a perfect shot and his teammates applauded.

Tim was fighting on the battlefield with the Kurdish militia in Iraq and inside that building were Islamic State (IS) or Daesh fighters.

"I don't feel any sympathy for the people I'm killing. I stopped seeing Daesh as human beings a long time ago, so I have no sympathy for them," he said. "It's like shooting rubber ducks at a fair."

His nonchalant attitude led others to think he was a soldier trained to destroy the enemy. However, Tim had never received any military training. He is believed to be the first British person to go to the front line without being a member of the army.

Secret Plan

Tim gave up his comfortable life in the UK to volunteer in war-torn areas, fighting against IS with a Kurdish militia.

The 39-year-old sold all his possessions, including his home, and quit his construction business after seeing news reports of IS atrocities. His incredible journey from a normal person to a fighter is detailed in his book, "Fighting IS".

However, speaking at a restaurant in London, he said very briefly and modestly: "I am just a lucky person who was able to go there and contribute my small part of my strength."

Tim decided to leave in August 2014.

"I thought this is the worst thing that's happening in the world, everyone is panicking but no one is doing anything to stop it," he said. "I started asking myself. I think everyone should do something, but what about me?"

At the time, Tim was working as a security guard at a nightclub, a prison guard, and a construction business. He lived a comfortable bachelor life with a house with a swimming pool and bar.

Suddenly, all those material things became meaningless to him. Apart from a few friends, no one knew about his plans, not even his parents.

"I was afraid I might be stopped at the airport if the reason for my departure became known, so I only told people I trusted," Tim said. "My friends knew I had put my house up for sale and that I was going to Türkiye, and that I was staying there for a long time."

Tim Locks on the battlefield in Iraq. Photo: Mirror

His bedroom has become a storage room, and he buys armor and other gear online. "It's amazing what you can buy on eBay if you know where to look," he smiles.

Tim also attended basic weapons training, but it was "rather cursory." He only informed his family after he had sold his house and bought plane tickets.

"They tried in vain to convince me that I would definitely be prosecuted if I wanted to return to the UK and that my size would make me an easy target but I was determined," he said.

Battlefield

He flew to the Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah in February 2015, joining the Christian suicide squad Dwekh Nawsha. Upon arrival, he was told that IS had offered a bounty of more than $100,000 for the death of any Westerner there.

“I'm not scared,” said Tim. “It's just propaganda.”

He spent money on weapons, including a Glock and an AK-47 rifle bought on the black market. A few months later, Tim finally learned what the threat from the terrorist group was really like.

He stood on the roof of a building occupied by the Peshmerga, the Kurdish defense force.

"I could see the famous water tower and the Daesh flag. It seemed like they were aiming for our building and an informant helped to adjust the angle, just one click and the fire would be on us," he said. "I looked around and paused for a moment to consider the options. As a volunteer, I had no army commander to tell me what to do. When you have no military experience, you have to use all your senses and be alert."

Using his instincts, Tim ran down the stairs and hid in a nearby trench, surprising his Scottish comrade who had served in the army.

"JP said I was the first civilian he had ever seen running towards mortar fire. He joked that I was crazy or stupid," Tim said. "I don't think I want to describe myself. I came here to destroy Daesh and the best place to do that is the road ahead. If I was running away, there was no point in coming here."

Tim also realized that Kurdish-style warfare was not what he expected.

“Some of the Peshmerga were in the trenches just to take pictures,” he explained. “They had been there for months, being shelled and mortared every day. Suddenly a Western volunteer appeared in their trench and it was a good opportunity to have a cup of tea and take a selfie.”

A year ago, Tim returned to England for a short break before returning in November. This time he joined IDET, a volunteer unit of Western veterans.

Life in the field had its low points, especially this past Christmas. "I missed my family and friends," Tim admits. "Most of us put it out of our minds. One of the guys bought some Christmas hats and I bought pictures of Cheryl Cole to brighten up my room."

Tim Locks and teammates. Photo: Mirror

Tim has set the photo of Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi, who drowned on a Turkish beach last year, as his phone wallpaper as a reminder. The heartbreaking stories he hears give him the motivation to keep going.

“I met people who had to leave Syria and Iraq because of the Daesh invasion,” he said.

Exhausted and penniless, Tim finally returned to Britain in March. Each time he returned home, he was questioned about his activities in Iraq but he said the authorities were satisfied with his explanations. Now he has nowhere to live.

He believes the threat from IS is real to him right here in his homeland.

"Daesh is in the UK, that's for sure. I'm aware I'm a target so I'm taking precautions," he said.

Tim, who will use the proceeds from the book to fight IS, said he had no regrets and was planning to return to Iraq in September.

"I'll be there for my 40th birthday, hopefully killing some Daesh, that would be a great birthday present," he said.

According to VNE