White Helmets backer James Le Mesurier found dead in Istanbul

James Le Mesurier, who founded the British organisation which used to provide training to the militants of the Syrian ‘White Helmets’ emergency response force was reported dead in Istanbul. Confirming the same, the White Helmets took to Twitter and wrote: "We have learned with shock and sadness the news of the death of @lemesurierjames, founder and director of the humanitarian organization @MaydayRescue, early on Monday at his home in Tophane in Istanbul, Turkey. Mayday is one of the institutions supporting the White Helmets (sic)."

Founder of Mayday Rescue reported dead

James Le Mesurier laid the foundation of the Mayday Rescue group. His neighbour found him dead near his house which is located in central Istanbul’s Beyoglu district. According to the reports of international media, it is being speculated that Le Mesurier fell from the balcony of his home office. Reportedly his death is being treated as a suicide. However, some reports say that the circumstances of Le Mesurier's death were uncertain and unclear.

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The White Helmets 

Also known as Syria Civil Defence, the White Helmets is an emergency force that has received appreciation for its rescue missions and saving people in the conflict areas when Syria was being bombed during the eight-years of civil war. The members of the White Helmets have called themselves as neutral. Whereas, the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his supporters described the members of the White Helmets as those following the footsteps of the western ideology and Islamist-led insurgents. These were trained by the members of Mayday Rescue. 

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Mayday Rescue Organisation

Mayday Rescue organisation started its training in 2014. It formed its office in Istanbul in 2015 to help the Syria project and save people from bombing attacks. According to its official website, the organisation was funded by the United Nations and several other governments. There has been no immediate response from the organisation regarding the death of its founder.  

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