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The women, mostly in their early twenties, say the rare spectacle of female fighters can be an advantage against the vile group because if they are killed by girls they believe “they won’t go to heaven”.

The Women’s Protection Units, a faction of YPG, were formed three years ago and have been hailed as a vital forced for retaking Kobani.

A commander, 21-year-old Telhelden told US television network CNN:”They think they're fighting in the name of Islam.

"They believe if someone from Daesh [ISIS] is killed by a girl, a Kurdish girl, they won't go to heaven. They're afraid of girls.