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In Syria, airstrikes carried out against Islamic State in battle for Kobane In Syria, airstrikes carried out against Islamic State in battle for Kobane
(35 minutes later)
BEIRUT — Warplanes carried out airstrikes Saturday near a key Syrian city under siege by Islamic State fighters, residents of Kobane say, providing some relief to defenders who complain they are outgunned by the al-Qaeda offshoot.BEIRUT — Warplanes carried out airstrikes Saturday near a key Syrian city under siege by Islamic State fighters, residents of Kobane say, providing some relief to defenders who complain they are outgunned by the al-Qaeda offshoot.
Kobane is on the border with Turkey, and capturing it would give the militants strategic control of a new stretch of this border and possibly a new route into Syria.Kobane is on the border with Turkey, and capturing it would give the militants strategic control of a new stretch of this border and possibly a new route into Syria.
The U.S. has not claimed the strikes. Residents have said they are the first to hit Islamic State positions on the front lines around Kobane. There have been limited strikes near the town in recent days targeting Islamic State supply lines. U.S. Central Command confirmed the airstrikes on Saturday, saying U.S. and partner nation military forces attacked several Islamic State positions in Syria, carrying out seven airstrikes on Friday and Saturday. A building and two armed vehicles were destroyed at the Kobane border crossing, officials said in a statement.
U.S. Air Force and Navy fighter planes and drones were used in the strike. Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates also participated in these strikes. All aircraft exited the strike areas safely, the statement said.
Residents in Kobane said the airstrikes were the first to hit Islamic State positions on the front lines around the town. There have been limited strikes near the town in recent days targeting Islamic State supply lines.
“[The Islamic State] moved a few miles into Kobane, and Kurdish fighters pulled out,” said Kovan Direj, a resident just outside the city. “But we can not say that ISIS took the town because there is still fighting going on.”“[The Islamic State] moved a few miles into Kobane, and Kurdish fighters pulled out,” said Kovan Direj, a resident just outside the city. “But we can not say that ISIS took the town because there is still fighting going on.”
The Islamic State began its march toward Kobane on Sept. 15, and Kurdish-Syrian fighters have been trying to fend off the advance. The Islamic State began its march toward Kobane on Sept. 15, and Kurdish-Syrian fighters have been trying to fend off the advance.
For more than a week now, Kurdish leaders, from both Iraq and Syria, have been calling for U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against the Islamic State fighters on the open battle fronts near Kobane. For more than a week now, Kurdish leaders, from both Iraq and Syria, have been calling for U.S.-led coalition airstrikes against Islamic State fighters on the open battle fronts near Kobane.
The Kurds say their weapons are no match for sophisticated munitions in the hands of the Islamic State militants, who looted Iraqi army bases as they took over swathes of Iraq in June. The Kurds say their weapons are no match for sophisticated munitions in the hands of Islamic State militants, who looted Iraqi army bases as they took over swathes of Iraq in June.
“ISIS brought support last night from Raqqah. We saw personal carriers, 18 Doshka rocket launchers on vehicles and cars full of militants,” said Direj. “They carried out an attack from the three fronts — east, south and west. They used heavy artillery.” “ISIS brought support last night from Raqqah. We saw personal carriers, 18 Doshka rocket launchers on vehicles and cars full of militants,” Direj said. “They carried out an attack from the three fronts — east, south and west. They used heavy artillery.”
Refugees from the area waited on the Syrian-Turkish border Saturday morning, trying to enter Turkey. More than 160,000 mostly Kurdish Syrians have crossed into Turkey in the past 10 days, and as the heavy fighting continues, more are expected to join them. Turkey is already hosting 1.5 million Syrians who have escaped the more than three years of fighting in their country. Refugees from the area waited on the Syrian-Turkish border Saturday morning, trying to enter Turkey. More than 160,000 mostly Kurdish Syrians have crossed into Turkey in the past 10 days, and as the heavy fighting continues, more are expected to join them. Turkey is already hosting 1.5 million Syrians who have escaped the more than three years of fighting in their country.
Striking near Kobane was politically complicated for the U.S.-led coalition. Some of the Kurdish groups fighting the militants there are also believed to have been involved in uprisings in Turkey, a NATO ally, making supporting their military operations tricky and supplying them with weapons likely out of the question.Striking near Kobane was politically complicated for the U.S.-led coalition. Some of the Kurdish groups fighting the militants there are also believed to have been involved in uprisings in Turkey, a NATO ally, making supporting their military operations tricky and supplying them with weapons likely out of the question.
However, allowing the Islamic State to take more strategic territory, after President Obama pledged to destroy the group, would take the shine off this now five-day old bombing campaign against them.However, allowing the Islamic State to take more strategic territory, after President Obama pledged to destroy the group, would take the shine off this now five-day old bombing campaign against them.
Friday, Turkish troops shot tear gas at crowds of on the border as they tried to leave to Syria to fight along side Syrian Kurdish forces against ISIS. Turkey has fought with these Kurdish groups for decades and has been preventing Turkish-Kurdish fighters from entering Syria to fight with their brethren. Friday, Turkish troops shot tear gas at crowds on the border as they tried to leave to Syria to fight alongside Syrian Kurdish forces against the Islamic State. Turkey has fought with these Kurdish groups for decades and has been preventing Turkish-Kurdish fighters from entering Syria to fight with their brethren.
Suzan Haidamous in Beirut contributed to this report.Suzan Haidamous in Beirut contributed to this report.