NEWS CENTER – Reece Harding. He was born on 31 August 1991 in the Middle Swan region of Australia as the child of Michel and Keith couple. She was a surfer and lifeguard in her native Australia. She was an avid supporter of the local football team, the West Coast Eagles, and loved to travel. Reece Harding, who had little interest in politics before coming to Rojava, was motivated by a humanitarian spirit to join the People’s Defense Units YPG. At home, he was furious as he watched the news about the brutality of ISIS and crimes against humanity.
HE SAID HUMANITARIAN DUTY, HE STARTED…
Reece saw the YPG as a force for democracy and equal rights and decided that he could no longer sit down and let them fight alone. Believing that the West did not show enough support to the YPG, which is waging a relentless struggle against ISIS, it set off from the Gold Coast region of Australia to the Rojava Autonomous Region to be included in this struggle as a humanitarian duty. He came to Rojava on May 4, 2015 and joined the ranks of the People’s Defense Unit (YPG). And on February 21, 2015, it takes the name Bagok Serhed, the name of Australian Ashley Johnston, who was martyred in the village of Xesan in Til Hemis.
WHEN DEFEATING THE MIN
Bagok Serhed is recognized by his fellow combatants as a competent and brave warrior. He constantly wants to join the sabotage unit, he does. Most of the work is to neutralize improvised explosives and mines. He was martyred on June 27, 2015 while clearing a land mine in the village of Ain İsa. His body was brought to Australia shortly after and he was buried in a ceremony organized by his family and loved ones.
HE WOULD DO EVERYTHING FOR HIS FRIENDS
Jordan, Reece Harding’s brother, said, “Reece always looked out for his friends and would do anything to help them. Heval Bagok showed this side to all his friends. Reece died knowing he made a difference. I know you died peacefully. He lived in 23 years more than most people experience in a lifetime,” she says.
His fellow fighters in the YPG ranks also describe Martyr Bagok Serhed as someone who will do everything in his power to protect his fellow fighters without hesitation.
TOMORROW: International Martyrs of the Rojava Revolution – XI: Kevim Jochim
