WATCH ABOVE: Video posted to Facebook appears to show Canadian vet Dillon Hillier aiding Kurdish fighters (Warning: Video contains graphic language).
TORONTO – Dramatic video of a Canadian veteran fighting alongside Kurdish forces against Islamic State militants in Iraq has appeared on Facebook, showing the vet bandaging a wounded man.
Dillon Hillier, a veteran of the Afghanistan mission and son of Ontario Conservative MPP Randy Hillier, flew to northeastern Iraq in November along with other former Canadian Forces members to help Kurdish fighters.
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The group called the 1st North American Expeditionary Force posted the video on Dec. 1 on its Facebook page.
In the Facebook post, a man signed with the initials “DH” writes: “The day I helped Kurdish defense forces liberate ——— from the clutches of evil was the greatest day of my life. I accomplished more good in those 20 hours than the previous 26 years of my life. I dragged a man who had been shot in the face to safety and patched him up, while many others stood around in shock. I am unsure if my actions saved his life but I truly hope so.”
The video appears to show Hillier with Kurdish forces bandaging a man’s head and yelling instructions at others assisting him. He can be heard saying in English: “That’s all I can do for him right now, man,” as gunfire rings out in the background.
“You’re going to be all right man, tell him he’s going to be all right,” he said.
Global News could not reach Hillier for an interview, but did receive a statement on Nov. 21 from Randy and Jane Hillier that described how “proud” they are of their son.
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“There are no words which can adequately describe how proud we are of our son Dillon, including his past service with the Canadian Armed Forces. While we have limited contact with Dillon, we do know he is safe and sound,” the statement read.
Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird on Monday warned Canadians about putting their lives at risk overseas adding that those who want to fight terrorism should be content to support domestic law enforcement.
“The best way to fight terrorism is to support our national law enforcement or national security agencies,” said Blaney.
While the 1st North American Expeditionary Force says it is not actively seeking veterans to join the fight against ISIS it is offering support for those who decide to volunteer.
*With files from Global’s Nick Logan
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