British fighters helping Kurdish forces in Syria have renamed themselves the Bob Crow Brigade and broken off from fighting ISIS to support the Eurostar workers' strike.

A bizarre picture has emerged showing UK affiliates of the Kurdish People Defence Units on the Syrian front line in an unlikely show of solidarity with the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union.

The union has called a series of strikes on Southern Rail routes and Eurostar after complaining about safety and their 'work life balance.'

And their cause has received backing in the most unlikely of places with six balaclava-wearing militants waving machine guns in the air and making reference to the RMT's former leader Bob Crow, who died of a heart attack in 2014.

British fighters in Syria have renamed themselves the Bob Crow Brigade and broken off from fighting ISIS to support the Eurostar workers' strike

The fighters made reference to the RMT's former leader Bob Crow (pictured)

In large red lettering on the wall of an outpost, they have written the message: 'Victory to the guards! Victory to the RMT!...from one struggle against injustice to the struggle against another.'

The reason for their backing is unclear, but a small number of Kurdish fighters based in northern Syria with the YPG come from the UK.

The image emerged on social media as strikes by Southern Railway workers scheduled for Thursday and Friday were called off to allow fresh talks in the bitter row over the role of conductors.

Members of the RMT walked out on Monday and were due to stay out until the weekend.

Following an offer from the RMT to suspend the action if Southern returned to talks without any preconditions, Acas announced that the strike will be suspended.

The image emerged on social media as strikes by Southern Railway workers scheduled for Thursday and Friday were called off to allow fresh talks in the row over the role of conductors

A spokesman for the conciliation service said: 'Southern and the RMT are returning to talks tomorrow under the auspices of Acas. Strike action has been suspended for Thursday and Friday.'

The YPG have been a key force fighting ISIS in north and north eastern Syria.