James Le Mesurier, a key backer of the group that trained Syria's White Helmets, has died in Turkey, the organization said Monday
The organization, whose network of volunteer rescue workers helps communities in war-ravaged Syria prepare for and recover from attacks, did not reveal how Le Mesurier died.
NBC News has reached out to Mayday Rescue for further comment on Le Mesurier’s death. Turkish police were not immediately available for comment. The White Helmets, known officially as Syria Civil Defence, have been widely hailed for saving more than 115,000 lives in rebel-held areas during years of bombing by Syrian government and Russian forces.White Helmets members say they are neutral, but Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his backers describe them as tools of Western propaganda and Islamist-led insurgents.
Le Mesurier founded Mayday Rescue, a Netherlands-based non-profit that helps establish community-based rescue and recovery teams, and is one of the institutions supporting the White Helmets.Yuliya Talmazan
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