A former British soldier who went to Syria to fight Islamic State has been arrested in Turkey.

Joe Robinson, who used to live in Accrington, Lancashire, was detained along with his girlfriend and her mother while the trio were on holiday.

While the two women have since been released, 23-year-old Mr Robinson remains in custody, it has been reported.

Mr Robinson fought alongside the People's Protection Units of Syrian Kurdistan (YPG) against terror group IS.

But Turkey is hostile to the YPG because of its links with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is fighting for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey.


Image: The Foreign Office said it has requested consular access. Pic: Joe Robinson/Facebook

The Kurdistan Solidarity Campaign said: "Unfortunately, Joe has gone on holiday to Turkey not realising the kind of state it has now become.

"Turkey unfortunately continues to criminalise the Kurdish question and his jailed tens of thousands of Kurdish people, including elected MPs and mayors simply for peacefully campaigning for Kurdish rights."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are aware of the detention of a British national in Turkey and have requested consular access."