A Calgary man who allegedly left Canada to fight with the Islamic State in Syria is facing terrorism charges and a Canada-wide warrant has been issued for his arrest.

A police investigation determined that Farah Mohamed Shirdon, 22, travelled to Syria on March 14, 2014, to allegedly join and fight with ISIS.

“Our investigation showed that Shirdon served in a combat role and performed other functions for ISIS such as recruiting, fundraising, encouraging others to commit violence, and spreading propaganda all designed to enhance the activities of the ISIS”, said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Marlin DeGrand in a release.

Shirdon is charged with:

Leave Canada to participate in the activity of a terrorist group. (Sec 83.181)

Participation in the activity of a terrorist group. (Sec 83.18(1)– Enhancing the ability of ISIS to facilitate or commit terrorist activity.)

Instructing a person to carrying out terrorist activity for the benefit of ISIS.(Section 83.21(1) – relating to his encouragement of others to travel to Syria/Iraq and to send money to ISIS)

Instructing a person to carrying out terrorist activity for the benefit of ISIS.(Section 83.21(1) – relating to his encouragement of others to commit violence in support of ISIS)

Commission of an indictable offence for a terrorist group. (Sec 83.2) – Relating to the utterance of threats towards Canada and the United States made on or about April 13, 2014 on an ISIS released video.)

Commission of an indictable offence for a terrorist group. (Sec 83.2) – Relating to the utterance of threats made on or about September 23, 2014 during an interview with Vice Media.)

“These charges not only demonstrate that the RCMP is taking active measures to investigate and pursue criminal charges against high- risk travellers, but also serve as a powerful deterrent message to individuals seeking to travel abroad for terrorist purposes and those already engaged in such activity,” said Assistant Commissioner James Malizia, officer in charge of the RCMP’s Federal Policing Operations.

The charges stem from a national security criminal investigation named Project STACCATO.

Terrorism researcher Michael Zekulin, a University of Calgary professor, says the warrants issued for Shirdon's arrest demonstrates to both Canadians and Canada's international partners that the country is committed to the pursuit of individuals who join terrorist groups.

“This doesn’t end with you leaving Canada," says Zekulin of the RCMP's message. "You are a Canadian and, basically, we are doing whatever we can to make sure that you are going to be held accountable for your actions.”

Doctor Atthar Mahmood of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada applauds the actions of the RCMP.

“I think what the RCMP has done today is the right thing to do," said Dr. Mahmood. "I hope that they find this young man alive. Maybe from that we can learn more information ‘Where did he get the training?’ ‘Who was behind him?’ That ‘s what we need to know.”

Dr. Mahmood says terrorists who commit attrocities in the name of Islam are an affront to the teachings of the religion.

“Terrorism is not permissible in any guidebook of Islam," explains Dr. Mahmood. "People who are doing such a thing or (who are) thinking of going, this is not Islam.”

“We are, as an organization, trying to teach young people that this is not the right thing.”

Police say reports from 2014 that said Shirdon was killed in Syria proved to be false.

He appeared in an Islamic State propaganda video destroying his Canadian passport and making threats against Canada and the United States.

Reports that he was killed while fighting in Iraq circulated on social media in August 2014, but a man claiming to be Shirdon reappeared six weeks later, in an interview with Vice News.

At the time, Shirdon said he decided, on his own, to join the Islamic State and also claimed that CSIS had interviewed him several days before he left Canada for Syria.

The charges were laid in absentia and the RCMP is working to bring him back to Canada where he will be arrested and prosecuted.

(With files from ctvnews.ca)