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Anti-IS fighter searching for work after returning home to Queensland

An anti-Islamic State fighter, who landed to a hero’s welcome when he touched down in Melbourne last night, is already on the hunt for work.

Ashley Dyball, 23, was deported from Germany on Saturday night and arrived in Melbourne on Sunday night.

He was met by Australian Federal Police officers, who took him for questioning for several hours, before releasing him without charge.


The Queensland man flew into Brisbane with his parents this morning, who along with the rest of his supporters, were wearing yellow.

“After spending time in Germany and feeling as wanted as Justin beiber in a over 18 concert I'm home in will try to reply to you all at some stage but I don't have a phone yet,” Mr Dyball who is also known as Mitchell Scott, posted on his Facebook page on Monday morning.

Ashley Dyball serving in northern Syria. Source: Facebook
Ashley Dyball serving in northern Syria. Source: Facebook

“I am still currently under investigation and am very tired of have much to do this week.

“Thank you everyone for your support it means a lot,” he added, before mentioning that his communication lines had probably been compromised.

Mr Dyball said he was keen to start working ASAP and noted that he was after 'something easy going for a while'.

After touching down at Brisbane airport this morning, the 23-year-old was taken away to a private lounge, while his parents Scott and Julia addressed the waiting media.

Mrs Dyball said her son was glad to be back but would need help after witnessing beheadings and other atrocities committed by Islamic State.

"He's seen bombs put on the bottom of slippery slides ... they put bombs in blankets ... they put bombs in fridges," she said.

Ashley Dyball pictured on the front line in Syria. Source: Facebook.
Ashley Dyball pictured on the front line in Syria. Source: Facebook.
Ashley Dyball aka Mitchell Scott  joined the Kurdish militia to fight against IS. Source: Facebook.
Ashley Dyball aka Mitchell Scott joined the Kurdish militia to fight against IS. Source: Facebook.

Mr Dyball was detained in Germany while taking a break from a Kurdish military campaign against IS in northern Syria last week, raising concerns he would be charged under laws preventing Australians from fighting in the Syrian conflict.

He had travelled to the frontline in May despite federal government warnings it was an offence for Australian citizens to involve themselves in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

Back in Brisbane, Mrs Dyball said she was very proud of her boy, who had no idea what he was in for when he left for the Middle East.

"He didn't even know about the laws when he left," she said.

His father added: "No one knew about the laws ... that's the whole point."

Brisbane man Ashley Dyball, left, pictured here with fellow Australian Reece Harding, right, who was killed fighting IS in Syria. Photo: Facebook.
Brisbane man Ashley Dyball, left, pictured here with fellow Australian Reece Harding, right, who was killed fighting IS in Syria. Photo: Facebook.

Gold Coast woman Michele Harding, whose son Reece died while fighting against Islamic State, travelled with the Dyballs from Melbourne to Brisbane.

Wiping back tears, she said she was happy Ashley Dyball had made it home safely.

"I didn't want him to stay there because he had no choice and to come home in a coffin," she said.

"To get off that plane with him - we're family now. It's really personal."

News break – December 7