A CANDLELIT vigil has been held to honour a woman who died fighting with an all-female Kurdish armed unit in Syria.

More than 100 people attended the memorial for Anna Campbell on Cliffe Bridge in her home town Lewes on Monday evening.

Family and friends remembered Ms Campbell, 26, as a devoted campaigner for human rights.

Her father, Dirk Campbell, told the BBC he was “in pieces” when he found out about the sad news.

Mr Campbell said his daughter wanted to do what it takes to “create a better world”.

Ms Campbell was inspired to join the Kurdish Women’s Protection Unit (YPJ) as she shared its goals to establish a democratic society for women following the invasion of the Islamic State.

She died in Afrin on Friday, fighting for the Kurdish Women’s Protection Units.

It is believed that Ms Campbell was killed in aerial strikes by Turkish forces.

She joined the YPJ in May last year and she is thought to be the first British woman killed fighting alongside the Kurdish militia.

News about Ms Campbell’s activism has reached overseas.

She was also remembered as a dedicated animal lover.

In recognition of her efforts, animal rights organisation Peta has added her name to its Tree of Life memorial, which is in Norfolk, Virginia, honouring those whose actions have made a positive difference for animals.

Mr Campbell told The Guardian: “It seems a small thing, but I remember when she was 11, she protected a bumblebee from being tormented by other kids at school.

“She did it with such strength of will that they ridiculed her.

“But she didn’t care. She was absolutely single- minded when it came to what she believed in.”

A spokeswoman for YPJ said: “After the attack on Afrin, she insisted on being sent there.

“We discussed with her a lot, but she gave us an ultimatum: either I quit the revolution or I go to Afrin.”