Huang Lei, a Manchester University graduate, has fought with the YPG for three years

A squad of foreign fighters led by a British commander is heading to the Syrian city of Afrin to help the Kurdish YPG to defend it from attack by Turkey.

The group set out yesterday, aiming to cross territory held by the Assad regime before joining the intense fighting. The arrival of the foreign fighters will add another dimension to an already complex conflict.

Turkey launched operation “Olive Branch” on Saturday aiming to root out the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia, which it sees as a terrorist group. The offensive has caused concern among Turkey’s Nato allies, especially the US, which is still supporting the YPG in its efforts to defeat Islamic State in Syria.

Turkey launched its air and ground operation against Kurdish fighters in the Syrian enclave of Afrin on Saturday LEFTERIS PITARAKIS/AP

“We are all ready to go and fight in