Foreign Affairs says it is aware of reports of Canadian killed in Iraq

TORONTO- The Canadian government says it is aware of reports that a Canadian has been killed in Iraq, but won’t confirm the person’s identity.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it won’t confirm if it is Farah Mohamed Shirdon, a Somali-Canadian man from Calgary, who was fighting overseas for the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Global News previously reported the story of Shirdon who was seen in an ISIS video in April, threatening Canadians while burning his passport.

“This is a message to Canada and all the Americans oppressors. We are coming and we will destroy you,” he said speaking in English.

WATCH: Foreign fighters joining militant groups overseas

Multiple media reports stated Shirdon was killed while fighting in Iraq, but the cause of death was not given. Global News was not able to independently verify Shirdon’s death.

Foreign Affairs says it is monitoring the situation closely and is advising Canadians “against all non-essential travel to Iraq due to the dangerous and unpredictable security situation.”

The Islamist militant group has used social media in an attempt to lure foreign fighters to their cause as they have been fighting the Syrian regime of Bashar Al-Assad and the government of Iraq.

The major gains by ISIS have sparked renewed action by the U.S. military in the northern region of Iraq.