American fighting in IS ranks killed in Syria — reports

WASHINGTON — An American was killed last weekend in Syria, where he was fighting for the Islamic State, US media reported Tuesday, in an account only partially confirmed by US officials.

Douglas McCain had joined the violent extremist group as a fighter, leaving his family "devastated" and "just as surprised as the country", his uncle Ken McCain told CNN.

He had converted from Christianity to Islam several years ago, according to the uncle, who said the US State Department informed the family of his death on Monday.

"We are in contact with the family and are providing all possible consular assistance," agency spokeswoman Jen Spaki said.

"There's typically a process that needs to be gone through before any confirmation can be made."

She declined to comment further "out of respect for the family".

A number of Americans are believed to have joined militants in the region.

Former classmates recalled McCain as a "goofball" who liked to play basketball and aspired to become a rapper.

"Doug was a fun guy to be around. Played basketball, joked a lot, had a small sense of humour. Got along with most... Wasn't the best athlete, but liked to play," a former basketball friend told NBC News.

Friends said on Twitter that he converted to Islam around 2004.

The younger McCain was "a good person, loved his family, loved his mother, loved his faith", his uncle told CNN, referring to his nephew's Christian beliefs before his conversion.

McCain was killed in a battle against Al Nusra Front, an Al Qaeda-linked group blacklisted by the United States, the report said.

NBC News said McCain, of San Diego, California, was carrying about $800 in cash and his American passport in his pockets.

It cited a Free Syrian Army-linked activist as saying McCain was among three foreign fighters in the IS camp who died during the battle.

On Facebook, the 33-year-old called himself "Duale ThaslaveofAllah", and his Twitter bio read "It's Islam over everything", according to NBC.

The State Department says there are some 12,000 extremist fighters from countries around the world — hailing from as many as 50 countries — including some Americans.

US officials last week told AFP that more than 100 US nationals had left to fight in Syria or tried to do so.