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As It Happens

[UPDATED] Canadian Forces vet deported from Australia, believed to be en route to Vancouver

Not what he volunteered for. Robert Somerville describes his journey from fighting for Canada in Afghanistan to joining the Kurds in their battle against ISIS. Now, he's being held at a detention centre in Brisbane. That's where we tracked him down.
CBC News ·
Robert Somerville, left, fought with Kurdish forces in Syria. (Robert Somerville/Facebook)
As It Happens8:47Robert Somerville detained after fighting ISIS

Robert Somerville was hoping for a slightly warmer welcome. 

Somerville is a Canadian Forces veteran with Edmonton's Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry's C Company. He served in Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010. More recently, he says he has been volunteering with the Kurdish People's Protection Units in their fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.  

On Thursday, As It Happens reached him at a detention centre in Brisbane, Australia awaiting deportation. 

Update: On Friday, an official at the Brisbane Immigration Transit Accomodation Centre told us Somerville has been "returned to the country where he came from." At the time of our interview, Someville was expecting to be sent back to Vancouver. If that's the case, it's believed he's currently en route. 

Take a listen to our full interview.
 

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