Australian man killed fighting against IS in Syria

An Australian man has died after helping Kurdish forces in Syria fighting against the Islamic State group during a night-time operation on the weekend.

Reece Harding 23-year-old left his Gold Coast home in May to take up humanitarian work in Syria.

The devastated Keith Harding told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he received a message telling him to call an overseas number.

When he did so, the man on the other line explained: "I'm sorry mate that Reece is gone... he's stepped on a landmine. He's dead."

"With all the information that's spread about on the Internet with people beheading people, killing children, raping and beating women, I think it really did get to him in the end," said his father.

"He felt that he wanted to do the right thing and try and stop it in his small way that he could."

A man who said he fought alongside Reece posted a tribute on a Lions of Rojava Facebook page, set up by supporters who recruit for Syrian Kurdish forces.

About 120 Australians are believed to be fighting in Iraq and Syria, the vast majority with jihadist groups. At least 30 have been killed, according to the Australian government.