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Explosions rock Kobani as jets strike Islamic State targets

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - 00:47

U.S.-led coalition jets are continuing their attacks on suspected Islamic State targets in the besieged Syrian town of Kobani. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).

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ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) Two large blasts tore up the border area of the Syrian town of Kobani on Tuesday (October 28) as the U.S.-led coalition launched yet more air strikes against Islamic State fighters. The insurgents, who are trying to eject Syrian Kurdish fighters from Kobani, on the Turkish border, attempted to take the border crossing point on Monday (October 27). They were repulsed by the Kurdish fighters, who are expected soon to be joined by better-armed Iraqi Kurds. The Kurdish YPG have been struggling to defend Kobani, also known as Ayn al-Arab, from well-equipped Islamic State fighters who have used tanks, artillery and suicide truck bombs in a month-long offensive against the town at the Turkish border. Islamic State fighters, keen to consolidate territorial gains in northern Syria, have pressed an offensive against the town even as U.S.-led forces started bombing their positions. The battle has also taken on major political significance for Turkey, where the siege has sparked protests among Kurds and threatened a peace process with Turkey's own Kurdish insurgents, who are angry at the government for failing to aid Kobani. Under pressure to go beyond humanitarian assistance for those fleeing the violence, Turkey said it would allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters, known as 'peshmerga' or 'those who confront death', to cross its territory to reach Kobani. Western allies have been critical of what they see as a reticent response, and Turkish Kurds believe he is unwilling to strengthen the Kurds who have sought autonomy in Turkey, Iraq and Syria. The fate of Kobani has become a credibility test of the international coalition's response to the threat from the militants.

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Explosions rock Kobani as jets strike Islamic State targets

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - 00:47

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