A Christian militia rises to fight Islamic State in Iraq

A handful of Westerners have joined Dwekh Nawsha, meaning self-sacrifice, to fight the barbaric terrorist group in Iraq

Thousands of foreigners have flocked to Iraq and Syria in the past two years, mostly to join Islamic State, but a handful of idealistic Westerners are enlisting as well, citing frustration their governments are not doing more to combat the ultra-radical Islamists or prevent the suffering of innocents.

The militia they joined is called Dwekh Nawsha -- meaning self-sacrifice in the ancient Aramaic language spoken by Christ and still used by Assyrian Christians, who consider themselves the indigenous people of Iraq.

The only foreign woman in Dwekh Nawsha's ranks said she had been inspired by the role of women in the YPG, but identified more closely with the "traditional" values of the Christian militia.

An Australian man too has joined the militia to fight the terrorist group in northern Iraq. Khamis Gewargis Khamis is stationed in a town called Baqofa, around 30 kilometres from the major IS-held city of Mosul, an ABC report said.

"They (IS) don't discriminate when it comes to killing, torture and so on," Khamis, who is married with two children, was quoted by ABC from his base in northern Iraq.

"These are barbaric people; they came here only to die for what they believe in, so you can imagine the terror that they are spreading among the families, the kids and so on."

Khamis said that he was aware he might be breaking Australian foreign fighters laws by taking up arms with the militia, but that he was ready to defend himself if there were any consequences. "I am concerned, we do love Australia, it's our second home, we love it as much as we love Iraq," he said.

"We are concerned, but if anything happens because of my travel here and supporting and joining Dwekh Nawsha I am happy and prepared to stand in front of the law," he said.