flatuslifir
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This is Haukur Hilmarsson, a well known activist here in Iceland. He became a sort of folk treasure during the uprising against the government and the bankers back in 2008 when he hoisted a yellow flag with a pig on it on top of Alþingi, the parliament building.
He is known for a lot of other things.
He was Iceland's most active activist.
He once stopped an airplane from leaving Keflavík airport by jumping the fence to save the life of a refugee and succeeded.
He climbed cranes and did all kind of stunts in his actions to protect Icelandic nature from exploitation of foreign aluminium companies and others who seek cheap energy for heavy industries. Sadly he is still loosing that battle little by little every year.
He was a humanitarian, environmentalist and against all kind of fascism.
He hated most forms of government, an anarchist at heart.
No one knew that Haukur had gone to Syria. One day he just disappeared.
The shock that I got on march 6th when I heard that Haukur had been killed in combat in Syria was surreal. Shortly after, pictures of Haukur in combat gear started to come forward and reality started to sink in.
Apparently Haukur went to Syria last summer to end the reign of ISIS whom he saw as the worst form of fascism around. For the last six months, Haukur has been fighting ISIS in some kind of international group effort of volunteers to end their reign. According to news he was doing a pretty good job until the Turks decided to put an end to this nonsense.
This is not a normal.
This is not something that Icelanders are known to do.
Haukur is supposed to have fallen in a Turkish airstrike close to a town called Badina in Afrin on February 24th,
We have heard many different stories about what happened but we can not find anyone who saw him fall.
We are being told that he went missing in some kind of operation and most likely killed in an airstrike. His death was announced 10 days after he went missing after his comrades had searched all hospitals in the area and could not find him.
He originally went to Syria with a Greek anarchist group called RUIS (Revolutionary Union for Internationalist Solidarity)
They joined a group called IFB (international freedom battalion) who supported the Kurds and the constitution of Rojava in Afrin in the fight against ISIS.
He was known among the Kurda as Sahin Hosseini and should stand out in the area with his blond hair.
The past weeks have been hard for everyone who knew Haukur.
Our worst thought is not that he is dead. He might be a prisoner of the Turks and we all know what treatment terrorists get in the hands of the Turks.
The first news about his death came from Turkish media and we feel it is suspicious that the Turks knew his name if he was truly dead.
Edit: It has come to my knowledge that the first news came from a web media called ETHA and they are related to MKLP so there is a good reason for them to know Haukur´s name.
In a few days I will be going to Syria in an attempt to find him.
If there is anyone in usersub that can help me get in contact with good people in Afrin or close to the border in Turkey, please let me know.
I have traveled to war zones before and I know that MOST people are decent human beings who like to live in peace and help others as they can.
Thanks to all that spend their time reading this, I truly appreciate it.
FP edit:
Thank you guys for your support. I see that many people are worried and that is an understandable feeling. The situation in Afrin however is probably one of the safest one in Syria at the moment since the Turks have full control over the area. The town that I will go to is close to the boarders of Turkey and very limited fighting has been going on there. After reviving recent photos and videos from the area I do not see the massive destruction of cities and towns like in other parts of Syria.
The problem is that I am not the only one planing to go there. There are number of Haukur´s friends who wants to go search for him and it will be difficult to convince them not to go.
This is our last ditch effort in finding out what happened to Haukur since the "correct diplomatic way" is not working as it should.
This is the first time that Icelandic authorities have to deal with this kind of stuff and frankly they have no idea how to handle it.
hardwire18
Killed by air strike? Are you looking for a particular piece?
flatuslifir
Any DNA sample from him would be enough.
zenoshogun
He saved someone's life by preventing a plane leaving? Were they planning an Argentine style flight over the nearest sea with the door open?
flatuslifir
Deporting him back to some horrible place where he feared for his life.
AtsaMattaForYou
Bad times friend ahead
RathernotDisclose
Don't go to Syria
flatuslifir
Thanks for the concern. Sadly our government has no idea how to handle this. This is the first time that this has happened.
Flaxe
Cool story, bro. But I'm gonna downvote because this seems as misguided idealistic activist zealotry...or publicity stunt.
flatuslifir
I can assure you that no one of Haukur´s friend here in Iceland is happy that he went.
ClaudeWicked
You're not going to find who you're looking for. I'm sorry to say, but you're endangering yourself for what will amount to nothing.
bogynotafraidofkitten
DO NOT GO TO SYRIA TO FUND YOUR MATE. PLEASE. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS BUT IT'S NOT A GOOD DECISION TO BRING YOURSELF IN DANGER. FUCK WAR
flatuslifir
Thanks for the warning, I agree with you: FUCK WAR
Odmanra
If he was killed in a air strike, there won't be remains.And if you do go you'll end up the same as yer friend!
elucca
If you were killed there, would your want your friend to risk their life just to try to find your body? I know I wouldn't.
turkishairlines
Turkish news state that his body was found and about to be sent back to Iceland - on march 6th. You sure he's still missing?
flatuslifir
Yes, we have no confirmation that this is true. This was just a standard message that they send out when they think someone is dead.
kakivara
Not to be insensitive, but if he did actually die in an airstrike then there might not be a body.
flatuslifir
Don´t worry about being insensitive. The cold truth is not something we should play down. Thanks for the concern.
HowAboutThatUpdog
@OP I would not go to find the body. I'm sorry you've lost someone but that's the risk of volunteering to fight somewhere. 1
HowAboutThatUpdog
There's probably hundreds of bodies there and it's an active war zone. It's just not a good idea.
flatuslifir
Afrin has been rather peaceful for the last 4 years compared to other parts of Syria. There is not much destruction there as in other places
HowAboutThatUpdog
Not peaceful enough to risk it. As someone who's volunteered in multiple wars, your body not coming home is a risk you have to accept when
HowAboutThatUpdog
you go out and fight. Going to find him is risking yourself, which could put someone else at risk to find you if they even do that.
problematicpolarbear
going to Syria, an active war zone where everyone kills everyone is an absolutely idiotic thing to do.
flatuslifir
I´m not a smart man.
LittleLatinBoyInDrag
You’re not being cute either my dude. Don’t go unless you have s death wish.
meskarune
I think his friend would do the same for him though.
SendLewdss
Sorry but a dead persons body isn't worth it
flatuslifir
That is the problem, we have no solid confirmation that he is dead. Would it be worth it if he was alive?
flaidermauz
I dunno about the specifics but the stopping-an-airplane thing sounds an awful lot like obstruction of justice.
flatuslifir
However the refugee got an asylum in Iceland because of this action and tells everyone that Haukur saved his life.
flaidermauz
Why WOULDN'T he say that? At least in Sweden this kind of thing is exactly why border police can't do their job properly. SJWs on the runway
flatuslifir
What is wrong with justice???
2fligh2high
Good luck on your trip man. Take care
flatuslifir
Thank you. I will be careful.
TheyCallMeFreaaaakkh
I have a feeling that i want to help you find your friend, travel with you and get out from that S hole, but i live too far man
riggityrektson
Yeah no.. do not go
Thecowes
I pray that you will find closure and come back with news that will disprove the reported claims.
flatuslifir
Thank you, prayers are welcome.
heyrelaxfellayouneedarestguy
You’ll be deaaaaad
selfawareroomba
You civilians that go to Syria to play “tactics & war” are incredibly dumb. Good god. Syria is a pit to hell now. Stay out. Like he shouldve
fiddlelajman
The kurds are between a rock, a hard place and a spiked place.
ShotsoMilk
Defeated the worst blows to ISIS and then abandoned by all their allies at the first convenience. No friends but the mountains.
DarkSock
*between Iraq
flatuslifir
Yeah, it is really strange that the the people who were in the front for fighting ISIS is now treated as terrorists. This war sucks.
NicoVII
If only Kurds being treated like that was a new development, it might be easier to reverse...
SorenAziz
The Kurds were always terrorists in the eyes of Turkish leadership.
abusername1996
Probably because they fight back for their made up land in turkey
TheOtherOneWithTheHair
Anyone who doesn't roll over and accept being genocided by the Turks, are terrorists in the eyes of Turkish leadership. Just ask Armenians.
Monkeytofu
"In a few days I will be going to Syria in an attempt to find him." Do. Not. Do. This.
The5SecondFuse
Muffyns
but real life farcry with 1 life ... yeah dont do this @OP
selfawareroomba
Cannot agree enough.
TheItalianinU
I would recommend to reconsider. If his friend is alive, he will come back
Monkeytofu
His friend wouldn't have wanted him to risk everything for his body either. This is totally unreasonable behavior.
scrim4
I mean really. "Do you wanna be raped while held hostage Syria/Iraq? Because this is how you get raped while held hostage in Syria/Iraq!"
Bliffity
Wow. I've seen a lot of aftermaths of decisions as bad as the one OP is about to make, but I've never seen one happen in real time like this
Monkeytofu
Not only have you showed a gross misunderstanding of the conflict as a whole in the comments, you seem pretty reckless in general. Do not go
UncleArkie
Civilians in warzones die, that's what killed his mate. Soldiers die. too, civs die more.
BigFatNerd1
I agree with this whole heartedly.
flatuslifir
This is not be the first war zone I have visited. I have been monitoring the situation in Afrin for some time now. I understand the worries.
KittFrostpaws
There is a difference between a trained soldier and a radical extremist. Do. Not. Go.
Monkeytofu
No, I don't believe you've visited an active war zone. These are not "worries" we are telling you not to go because these are real risks.
Monkeytofu
You will cross the border into an area from Turkey, Iraq, or Syria. All regions are hostile to the region. You will burden your family.
Monkeytofu
Your friend likely died in Afrin if he died recently. Puts even more suspicion & trouble on you. Your friend would not want you to do this.
skwint
If he's dead he's not in Syria. His body might be, but he isn't. Honour him by putting that money and time into protecting Icelandic nature.
TheDarkServentofKtuhulaRHelei
He decided to join international armed group in a fight in a foreign country and he died there. I think he knew this could happen
BunSnugsJoey
All due respect to ur man, I'm sure he was solid.RIP. But never get involved in a strangers fight. 9 outta 10 ur gonna get stabbed or shot.
flatuslifir
Well, ISIS had declared war on the world and everyone who are not them....so who´s fight is then? I understand your point though.
BunSnugsJoey
I agree with u too. As it is tho that fight is between factions within a country. Isis or not that's a hood beef u don't involve urself in.
Whailes
hey , I sorry to hear about your friend. I wouldn't advice you to go to Syria, but if you chose your choice to go there I can maybe help 1/2
Whailes
I'm from Syria but I live in the Netherlands, if you need anything just ask me I'll be more than happy to help. good luck. 2/2
TOPAIC
DO NOT GO. DO NOT DO THIS. YOU ARE BEING A FUCKING IDIOT.
Bruhbeans
Good luck mate. Hope Erdogan retreats, but doesn't seem likely as he invaded Afrin to boost his image for the early elections
flatuslifir
Thanks mate. I will update when I come back home. Might have some interesting stories to tell.
Dontupvoteme14
Not to be a dick,but you do know their is a possibility you won’t be coming back. Anyways good luck !
flatuslifir
No one knows their time. This is a chance I am willing to take. Thanks for the luck :)
Dontupvoteme14
I wish you the best !
flatuslifir
Thank you.
fairmontcairolord
Just don't say anything pro-Kurdish in Turkey unless you want to be thrown in prison
flatuslifir
I am not there for the politics. Thanks for the advise, I appreciate it.
ImgursLibertarian
I wish we would stop going to war.
112864
and go to-war-d peace
flatuslifir
Same here.
selfawareroomba
Never happen. Too much money to be made.
itwasbuilticame2
but then our population would get too high and we would run out of resources
BunSnugsJoey
I agree 100% but ... He went over their voluntarily to be a hero. Some heroes live some heroes die. It's the most unfortunate for his family
selfawareroomba
If that’s your idea of heroism I suggest you stop watching so many movies. Signed-an actual combat veteran.
YeahDaddySpinOnMyAss
You’d need to rewrite our whole history to breed that out of us
flatuslifir
Or just stop following the politicians and the power players who seek war.
Frogthebountyhunter
I think you're simplifying this by a lot
Sauroctonus
Lose these governments and you also lose everything else they organise like public services.
flatuslifir
You are probably right, still easier than breeding the violence out of us....right?
Frogthebountyhunter
Considering that's impossible, yes. But it's also damn near impossible to make people stop listening to their country.
purgethefilthyheretics
But he went by his own accord right? I've always wondered how people who just go, get accepted by the different groups just like that.
degenerateace
Because they are fighting the common enemy and need the hands.
purgethefilthyheretics
Common enemy? Do you know who they were fighting? Assad? The turks rebells? Maybe isis? There's too many sides to put it like that.
flatuslifir
He went to fight ISIS and no one else. Sadly it was the Turks that are supposed to have killed him.
Muffyns
cannon fodder and not caring?
BunSnugsJoey
In the eyes of these "different groups" all they are is someone who can pick up the AK that fell from another dead man.
purgethefilthyheretics
Yeah, but, anyone could pose as someone to pick up an ak. Very few would actually know how to fight with one. Guess thats why he died. Sad.
flatuslifir
Yes, he had tried once before but was send back. I think the people who fight ISIS welcomes everyone.
purgethefilthyheretics
Oh, do you know if he went just for the action or a different reason?
flatuslifir
It was pure ideology for him. He had newer shot a gun before he went over there His only goal was to fight ISIS.
themexicanwave
My advice would be to not go. No point in dying trying to find his remains.
spaghettiThunderbolt
Nobody is gonna convince him (if this is real). He wants to bring his friend home, and there aren't many ways to convince him not to.
flatuslifir
I am not the only one who wants to go. I don't want any of my friends to go there. I am the only one with experience in war zones.
electricmind
But what if something happens to you too? Then people will not know what happened to both of you.
ComicsKittensAndCookiesOhMy
Do. Not. Go. You. Will. Die.
runza3
Let stupid friends who want to die go die. Try and talk them our of it. But don't jump off a cliff just because your friends think ya should
JasmineWindsong
It seems pretty stupid tbh. You care more about this guy than your own family? Because risking your life kinda shows that.
themexicanwave
I can’t imagine what you are going through, but he’s gone. I’m so sorry but u should risk dying for his remains. I doubt he’d want that.
themexicanwave
*shouldn’t
waterbucketsandsparetowels
But if any of them die, people they wouldnt have wanted in danger will come looking too, it's a cycle
heyrelaxfellayouneedarestguy
Blood makes the grass grow. Good on him for putting his money where his mouth was.
J1289k
The blood of the martyrs will water the meadows of France.....
AbsolutelyNotADragon
Blood doesn't help the grass at all.
ManWithFace
he's in Valhalla now
flatuslifir
WRONG! Photosynthesis makes the grass grow.
eggmuffin
WRONG! Photosynthesis creates the chemical energy with which carbon is separated from atmospheric CO2, which builds the plant (mostly).
CongratsYouAreHereNow
@OP, going to Syria might not be the best thing for you to do
flatuslifir
That´s what everybody says. However, this is the only option left. I will be careful.
RPCd
You can't be careful, people went on turkish terror lists for less, you have no diplomatic immunity and even that wouldn't protect you.
flatuslifir
The Turks are not what I fear the most. The place that I am going to is far from any front lines.
Hollen
@OP Going there to find a body there is probably not going to be easy. There is no shortage of bodys there. I'm afraid.
flatuslifir
That´s true. However, the town is a small one, only 11 thousand so someone might remember a blond Icelander. A long shot but worth the try.
FailedCrate
Fuck Daesh. Fuck dictator Erdogan and his fascist fanboys.
Andied
Shit I am tired about constantly hearing bad things about Erdogan. As in - wtf is wrong with those guys?
[deleted]
[deleted]
Andied
Shit that makes me so sad. And they are allowed to do so because they dampen the stream of immigrants. What a poor reason :(
FailedCrate
Excuse me, what?
Andied
I am so sad to hear all the bad things Erdogan is causing. That is what I am trying to say.
FailedCrate
Ah, I see. But if he does shitty things, he should be handled like the shit person he's. Nothing to sugar coat here.
Andied
Nope - he should be brought to justice. I think I miscommunicated based on the downvotes... or maybe it is the Erdogan cyber army. Who knows
TheSlimyFrog
Man I love you spirit but please for the love of God don't go to Syria. How will it effect your family if you die too?
unrealJumper
Man i love your spirit. How will it effect your family with this comment?
DownWithYouAll
There are causes worth fighting for.
HandsomeSwede
Yes, and then there are suicide missions. OPs friend died fighting for what he believed in, no good can come from OP going too!
mgsrepHero
If OP feels it's the best option, then I must support him/her to the best of my ability. I'd go if I was able.
HandsomeSwede
Eh. I get your point, but there’s a difference between ”I support your decision to become an actor” and ”I support entering a war zone”
flatuslifir
No doubt they will be sad. However, not knowing where Haukur is, is also effecting a lot of people I know. The helplessness is crushing.
TheAncientMillennial
A friend of mine went to Syria 12 years ago and never returned. They have never found her... she's probably alive unfortunately. Be careful.
flatuslifir
I am sorry to hear that. I hope things will turn out well for you and your friend.
Blue4Five
Not knowing what happened to bodies/persons is war. It always has been. If it takes your death and mysterious loss to make that clear, ...
Blue4Five
then I'd say your people learn the hard way. We've lost many people - without account - in many wars. Many get put into mass graves.
REV076
He may have died for what he believed in. Staying in Iceland not knowing what happened to him will kill you in time, good luck OP, stay safe
flatuslifir
Thank you.
HandsomeSwede
Going to Syria will probably kill him for real, though.
akahata
What do you think you can do what the locals can‘t do?
flatuslifir
There are no locals that we know of searching for him.
akahata
Do you think nobody cares for him or is it to dangerous? He fought for them, so at least they could search for his body.
flatuslifir
The problem is that no one of Haukur´s comrades are in the area. They just lost the war and are either dead or have left Afrin.
itmeanspeaceamongworlds
It's a dead body. It doesn't matter as much as you think. Your friend is gone, accept it instead of going to your death too.
elderlyechbert
if he joined the kurds you might be able to find out where he was stationed after syria becomes stable (+5? years).
flatuslifir
Yes, we have thought about that. But what if it will not be 5 years?
[deleted]
[deleted]
bushpotato
Hope can be found in memories and ideas; be safe, but take him with you.
ZombieJonSnow
Doubling the kill count isnt going to help.
thenamedone
That’s just too bad man. War is hell.
PhilipCoulson
I feel for you, I really do. But being affected by crisis doesn't give you the right to impose the same on your own innocent loved ones.
Gayforbae
Sometimes the right thing to do is to do nothing at all. It's a very hard lesson to learn.
PleasantPeasantPheasant
It's called survivors guilt, please look for counseling instead of going to Syria
flatuslifir
Thanks for the tip. You might be right on that one but still.
HandsomeSwede
Do not go!! My neighbors are Syrian. Their 9 year old saw his friends get blown up by a landmine. Dad’s two brothers got executed. So many
HandsomeSwede
of their family members are dead or missing. YOUR FRIEND is dead or missing. The same could very well happen to you. I know it’s a ”heroic
HandsomeSwede
mission” and a noble cause, but this is not a good idea.
flatuslifir
I don´t see it as heroic, just the decent thing to do. I will not live in fear of warlords. I know that this is not the best idea.
st3ll4rz4n3
I have to agree here. I mean it's been a while since your friend went missing, it will be a while until you get there...
Anlurai
If he died out in the open and exposed to sun, insects, etc, along with rising temperatures, he's already decomposed beyond recognition.
flatuslifir
A DNA sample would be enough for us to find closure.
flatuslifir
Bones, blond hair, just some DNA that can confirm what we are being told.
IGetWetDreamsAboutTonyStark
Are you serious? Do you know how many bones lay around there? Also let's say if he burned, all his blond hair will be gone. You have to /1
chonsan1
If he got hit in an airstrike, there will be no hair. If the Turks know his name, then he got lumped in with the Kurds and hit. Sorry mate
IGetWetDreamsAboutTonyStark
2/ accept his death. He is not there anymore. He will never find out about your heroic romantic idea of finding him. Don't do it.
Anlurai
How would you locate and identify him?
MrMaRzZ
The only way I can think of is dental records, which would be damn near impossible...
flatuslifir
Blond hair. We know where he is supposed to have been killed. We got a map from one of his comrades.
Anlurai
Well, whether you stay or go, I wish you the best of luck. Be safe.