American killed in Syria, may have fought Daesh with Kurds

An American man has been killed in Syria, the State Department said Wednesday, without confirming a report that he died fighting alongside Kurdish forces against the Islamic State group.

Spokesman Jeff Rathke confirmed the death of Keith Broomfield, but refused to offer further details about the circumstances or when it occurred.

NBC News earlier reported on the death of the 36-year-old Broomfield, citing a Kurdish official in Kobane as saying the US citizen died in a battle with IS jihadists in the area.

Reports said he may have been fighting with the Kurdish People's Protection Unit (YPG), which is battling the Islamic State group in northern Syria.

Broomfield's mother confirmed his death in a telephone interview with NBC.

"I'm waiting for his body to come back," she told the network.

The United States says that about 100 of its nationals have joined IS fighters in Iraq or Syria, while other Americans are fighting against the jihadist group.

Washington has strongly urged Americans not to travel to the area with the aim of joining the battle.