Photo Credit: Ntnews Australia
Leaving behind a wife and three sons, Matthew Gardiner, (former) president of the Northern Territory branch of the Labor Party is likely in Syria fighting with Kurdish resistance fighters after disappearing several weeks ago.
His phone has been switched off and the last post on Facebook reads as follows:
"Don't give in to hate #illridewithyou."
He had not mentioned anything about the Islamic State in previous social media posts as he was mainly focused on securing rights for the public service workers in the Northern Territory.
Mr. Gardiner has previous military experience including time in combat zones, for the Australian Army.
"Friends have been left dumbfounded as to why the dedicated father and vocal unionist would suddenly leave to join the deadly conflict.
He faces a lengthy prison term if he ever returns to Australia because it is illegal to fight on either side of the Syrian conflict." Sydney Morning Herald
The leader of the Opposition Party, Bill Shorten simply said, "Whatever the guy's motivations, you're not going to solve things by going there."
Time will tell if the U.S. made the right decision by not helping the Syrian people who are being slaughtered by their government and radical forces, who then became ISIS.
While we pray he has made the right decision.
He is not the only one choosing to leave the safe confines of home to fight ISIS.
This American Serviceman has previously joined the fight against ISIS, so far no politicians from America have, however.
Also, this Canadian Israeli (first foreign) female fighter, Gill Rosenberg