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Islamic State flag hoisted outside strategic Syrian town within sight of Turkish border Islamic State flag hoisted outside strategic Syrian town within sight of Turkish border
(about 2 hours later)
The Islamic State’s black flag flew Monday near one of the gateways to the strategic Syrian town of Kobane, suggesting the militants have broken through more defensive lines after weeks of intense fighting within sight of the Turkish border. The Islamic State’s black flag flew Monday near one of the gateways to the strategic Syrian town of Kobane, suggesting that the militants have broken through more defensive lines after weeks of intense fighting within sight of the Turkish border.
Kobane would give the Islamic State control over a longer stretch of the Turkish-Syrian border and open potential new smuggling lines for fighters and supplies.Kobane would give the Islamic State control over a longer stretch of the Turkish-Syrian border and open potential new smuggling lines for fighters and supplies.
NATO member Turkey has given its military authority to cross the border to confront the Islamic State, but Turkish commanders have so far held back their tanks and troops to aid Syrian Kurdish forces trying to hold Kobane. NATO member Turkey has given its military authority to cross the border to confront the Islamic State, but Turkish commanders have held back their tanks and troops to aid Syrian Kurdish forces trying to hold Kobane.
Kobane’s fall also would highlight the limitations of U.S.-led airstrikes to blunt ground offensives by well-armed Islamic State units. In Iraq, Islamic State fighters also have gained ground against the Iraqi military and allied militiamen despite intensified air attacks. Kobane’s fall also would highlight the limitations of U.S.-led airstrikes to blunt ground offensives by well-armed Islamic State units. In Iraq, Islamic State fighters have gained ground against the military and allied militiamen despite intensified air attacks.
Outside Kobane, the Islamic State has steadily pushed back Syrian Kurdish forces since mid-September as more than 160,000 refugees fled to Turkey or nearby areas.Outside Kobane, the Islamic State has steadily pushed back Syrian Kurdish forces since mid-September as more than 160,000 refugees fled to Turkey or nearby areas.
Some of the heaviest fighting left more than 45 people dead on Sunday, including 10 Islamic State fighters killed by Kurdish woman suicide bomber, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A Kurdish militia group placed the overall death toll at close to 90. Some of the heaviest fighting left more than 45 people dead Sunday, including 10 Islamic State fighters killed by a Kurdish female suicide bomber, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A Kurdish militia group placed the overall death toll at close to 90.
But the Islamic State appeared to have pushed to the edge of Kobane, also known as Ayn al-Arab in Arabic. The Islamic State’s black banner with Arabic script was raised over a building at the eastern entrance to the town, according to The Associated Press and other news agencies watching from across the Turkish border. But the Islamic State appeared to have pushed to the edge of Kobane, also known as Ayn al-Arab in Arabic. The Islamic State’s black banner with Arabic script was raised over a building at the eastern entrance to the town, according to the Associated Press and other news agencies watching from across the Turkish border.
Clashes flared on several fronts, but it was unclear whether Islamic State fighters were able to penetrate deeper into the town. There are few retreat options for Syrian Kurdish fighters, who may attempt to seek shelter in Turkey if the Islamic State advances – possibly drawing Turkey further into the conflict. Clashes flared on several fronts, but it was unclear whether Islamic State fighters were able to penetrate deeper into the town. There are few retreat options for Syrian Kurdish fighters, who may attempt to seek shelter in Turkey if the Islamic State advances — possibly drawing Turkey further into the conflict.
NATO’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, promised that the alliance will stand by Turkey if it faces attacks from the Islamic State.NATO’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, promised that the alliance will stand by Turkey if it faces attacks from the Islamic State.
“Turkey should know that NATO will be there if there is any spillover, any attacks, on Turkey as a consequence of the violence we see in Syria,” Stoltenberg told a news conference during a visit to Poland. “Turkey should know that NATO will be there if there is any spillover, any attacks, on Turkey as a consequence of the violence we see in Syria,” Stoltenberg said at a news conference during a visit to Poland.