Rudaw – The American public has come to know Jordan Matson as a prominent foreign volunteer fighting alongside Kurdish forces in Rojava, the Kurdish word for a part of eastern Syria inhabited by ethnic Kurds.

The 28-year-old from Wisconsin is an ex-US Army soldier who has been fighting for the militia known as the Kurdish Protection Units, or YPG, since September.

Matson spoke with Rudaw on April 21.

Rudaw: Tell us about your military service in the US army, your normal lifeyou’re your activities before joining the YPG.

Jordan Matson: My name is Jordan Matson. I was airborne infantry in the United States Army for three years. I did not deploy. I worked third shift in a food distribution center before I came here. Normal activities were normally just working and sleeping, with the occasional movie

Is it the first time fighting outside the US, or have you already engaged in battle when serving in the US Army?

I never served in combat before I came to Rojava and, yes, this is my first time outside the United States.

Why did you decide to fight alongside the Kurds? Did you have information about them before heading for Syria? Tell us about the moment you decided to join the YPG.

Because my government was not aiding the Kurds in Syria I decided to come here after the fall of Mosul. I couldn’t stand by and watch the genocide any longer, so I found the YPG on Facebook and made my way to Rojava

I decided to fight along side the Kurds because they stood by the United States for 10 years while my country was in Iraq. It is our turn to repay that debt. My views haven’t changed. I love the Kurdish people. They are the only ethnic group in this region that wants to live in peace.

You were a soldier in the US army and now a YPG fighter, what is the difference between the two?

The YPG is only four years old and a militia. The American army is the most-funded military in the world. There are big differences because of those reasons.

On which frontline did you fight, which cities and villages? Have you taken part in liberating any area from ISIS?

I fought in Jezira, Shingal, Serekanye, Tel Hamis, Tel Tamir and, yes, several…[were liberated]

After you left the US, did authorities contact you or your family? What was their attitude? Are you, as an American, allowed to join an armed group outside America?

Americans are allowed to join the YPG. They did question my family and myself but Americans have been allowed to return here

Did you fight along with the Peshmerga in Kobane? What is your opinion about their victories and strengths?

I fought with Peshmerga in Shingal. I know when they came to Kobane it helped [because] they brought much needed heavy weapons and guidance devices to help guide bombs in.

How many foreign fighters have joined the YPG? Do you fight in one unit, or you all fight with different units of the YPG?

All of the foreign fighters are in different units to spread them around. It’s better for adapting into the local culture and language. At least 100 [foreign fighters] have joined.

How long do you intend to fight in Rojava?

When ISIS has been crippled in the Kurdish areas, I will take some time off for some rest

As far as I know, you had a close friendship tie with the martyred British fighter Konstandinos EriK [Scurfield]. Talk about him: what was your feeling when you first heard he was martyred, did this affect your morale? Or did it boost your morale?

Eric “Kosta” Scurfield was my best friend here. It always hurts losing someone close to you, but that’s the way war is unfortunately and you strive on. He was a great man who never complained and volunteered for every guard duty and attack.

Have you been wounded in any fight?

I was wounded on my second day here when Daesh assaulted my position at night. I took shrapnel from a mortar. It was a 6-hour fight until armored support arrived and drove them off

There are many female fighters of YPG fighting ISIS, and there are female soldiers in the US Army. What are the differences and similarities between YPG female fighters and females in the US Army?

About one-third of our fighters are female. There is a big difference because YPJ fighters are treated as infantry where as America does not use women in a combat role.

Have you ever attempted to call on your old friends in the US Army to join the People’s Protection Units YPG?

I didn’t really ask anyone to join but many that felt compelled to do something have made there way here on there own decisions.

How are you going to talk about the Kurds once you return to America?

Ez kurdem (I am a Kurd). I feel somewhat of an adopted son of Kurdistan. This is my family. This is my community. I have been shown nothing but love by Kurds everywhere and I am very grateful for the opportunity to help.