An Australian man reportedly killed fighting with Kurdish forces against the Islamic State terror group in Syria has been praised as a hero by friends and comrades. 
Jamie Bright, 45, who was believed to have previously served in the Australian Army, was shot dead in north-east Syria close to the strategically important town of al-Shaddadi last Wednesday, Kurdish groups said.
Tributes to Mr Bright, who joined the Kurdish YPG - or People's Protection Units - in   December, poured onto social media after his death was announced by Kurdish forces on Monday.
Matthew Gardiner, a former president of Labor's Northern Territory branch who himself reportedly fought with the Kurds in Syria but has never spoken about it, described Mr Bright on Facebook as "a friend, a comrade, a brother".
Ashley Dyball, a Queenslander who also fought with the Kurds, said Mr Bright was "a great man and a top bloke" and that his sacrifice would "never be forgotten".
If confirmed, Mr Bright would be at least the third Australian killed fighting with the Kurds.