
The smiles and seemingly carefree nature of the children left behind in the ruins of Kobane deceive the horrors they have witnessed during their short lives.

Some as young as eight admit they want to die in battle after losing loved-ones, according to a former Canadian model turned anti-ISIS fighter who took these heartbreaking images.

'Some want to go to the front just to die - the ones who lost someone,' explained Hanna Böhman, who is fighting with the Kurdish YPJ (Women's Protection Units) in Syria.

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Ruins: Children play among the rubble in Kobane - much of which was razed to the ground during clashes between ISIS and Kurdish forces

Outlook: Three youngsters look out across the war-torn city from a damaged multi-storey building in this photo taken by Hanna Böhman

Devastation: A child looks out across a city from the ruins of a building. While many families have left, others want to stay and rebuild

Fighter: Hanna Böhman (left and right), a mother-of one from Canada, is fighting with the Kurdish YPJ (Women's Protection Units) in Syria

Hanna first visited Syria in March to fight with Kurdish forces, but was forced to return home to Vancouver four months later suffering from malnutrition.

Once revitalised, the mother-of-one returned to the war-torn country last month.

She has shared these poignant new images with MailOnline, which reveal the harsh reality of life for youngsters living in a warzone.

'It was like a strange dream to walk through the streets of Kobane, past remnants of homes and yards and lives, buried under mountains of broken bricks and dust, so bleak and depressing, but then hearing the echos of unseen children, laughing among the rubble, like ghosts,' she said.

Smiles: The carefree nature of the children Hanna photographed in Kobane deceives the horrors they have witnessed in their short lives

Innocent: Many children will be too young to understand what is happening in their city, but Hanna said many know their own mortality

Friends: Four boys, covered in dust and dirt and wearing tatty clothes, smile for a photo taken by Canadian YPJ fighter Hanna Böhman

Pretty in pink: A girl raises two fingers in the air to create a 'peace sign'. Peace is something the region has not experienced for a long time

Defeated: A girl in a green top leans against a doorway with her arms crossed behind rusty, damaged vehicles covered in rocks

'Only when we lingered long enough would they climb out of the rubble, cautiously approaching to have a closer look at us.

'So beautiful and playful and eager to show us what was left of their neighbourhood like it was still a fairyland, seemingly happy despite hell passing over them without a care.'

Much of Kobane lies in ruin following battles between Islamic State and Kurdish troops. The terror group fought for four months to seize the border town last year, but Kurdish forces backed by US-led air strikes regained control in January in a symbolic defeat for the jihadis.

In June, ISIS fighters attacked the city on three sides after reportedly coming across the border from Turkey. Civilians were among those killed.

Heartbreaking: Hanna Böhman has shared these poignant images which reveal the harsh reality of life for youngsters living in a warzone

Harsh reality: A boy stands between damaged vehicles in Kobane - a city destroyed by clashes between Kurdish troops and ISIS militants

Peace: ISIS fought for four months to seize Kobane last year, but Kurdish forces backed by US-led air strikes regained control in January

War-torn: Hanna Böhman said some of the children are defeated while others don't let the war stop them from playing and having fun

While many people have fled Kobane, often attempting to reach Europe via Turkey, others are determined to stay with their families and help rebuild their beloved city.

Describing the children caught up in the devastation, Hanna told MailOnline: 'Some of them are definitely defeated, but most still have life. They've been close to the edge so they know their own mortality.

'I was impressed how most wouldn't let the war stop them from playing and having fun. I feel sorry for them of course - it's not fair that they have to live this way. '

Hanna, who was born in Zambia, said that although children as young as eight are willing to fight with the YPJ and YPG (People's Protection Units), they are not permitted.

Playing: While some of the children in Kobane admit they want to die on the front line, others can still enjoy the innocence of their youths

Strike a pose: This young girl wearing a pristine red dress flashes Hanna Böhman, who was touring the war-torn city, a cheeky smile

Need: Asked why she headed back to Syria, Hanna Böhman said: 'How could I get on with a normal life in Canada after seeing life here?

Proud: The female fighter said the children were 'eager to show us what was left of their neighbourhood like it was still a fairyland'