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Battle of Kobani

Raghav_12

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There is lot of global media attention on the spectacle of war as it is unfolding in this town which sits right on the border between Syria and Turkey. It has been under siege of ISIS terrorists for quite a few weeks now but have managed to defend itself somehow. This is very strategically located town as if this town falls, who Syrian- Turkish border will be patrolled by ISIS terrorists. There is growing un-ease in global community over role that outside forces particularly Turkey is playing. It is given if this Kobani falls to ISIS, all remaining Kurds (which are estimated to be in range of 500-1000) will be butchered. Yet it is sad to see all Turkish tanks are sitting on border and just viewing how fight is unfolding when they can very well save lives of Kurds in Kobani by intervening. Isn't it responsibility of whole world to save lives of innocent civilians from hands of ISIS maniacs when massacre has become very imminent? I can understand by getting involved in these fights a country gets involved in seemingly a never ending cycle. Turkey is maintaining that as per their policy they don't sides in these wars, but intervention to save lives is not taking sides. In fact there is lot of criticism of the cynical stand that Turkey president has taken, the stand more directly than indirectly supports ISIS. All this while, it remains a million dollar question, will Kobani fall?. 25% ot 40% of the town has already been reported to be under control of ISIS. Read this report from Daily mail for some good visuals and on-ground reporting DISPATCHES FROM THE KOBANE BORDER: From just a few hundred yards away the Mail’s SAM GREENHILL watches the life-and-death struggle of Kurds desperately fighting ISIS maniacs as UN warns of a massacre Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2788561/dispatches-kobane-border-just-yards-away-mail-s-sam-greenhill-watches-life-death-struggle-kurds-desperately-fighting-isis-maniacs.html#ixzz3Fp1q0NYA Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

EXCLUSIVE report and photographs by Sam Greenhill and Jamie Wiseman on the border near Kobane Local military forces positioned on the hills overlooking Kobane but cannot act without Turkish political will The Turkish military is effectively contributing to the ISIS stranglehold by blocking much-needed reinforcements Thousands of Kurds have descended on the area to try and cross the border and support their Syrian kin By Sam Greenhill for MailOnline on the border near Kobane Published: 19:49 GMT, 10 October 2014 | Updated: 23:45 GMT, 10 October 2014 To understand why Kobane is doomed, you only have to stand on a nearby hillside and watch as the Islamic State maniacs tighten their grip. A few hundred yards away, the besieged town was in flames again yesterday as the jihadis fired mortar bombs into densely-packed neighbourhoods. Every explosive thud and pillar of smoke signifies yet more deaths, as the men, women and children of the stricken Syrian frontier town desperately fight to the last. It is a deeply uneasy feeling to witness this life-and-death struggle against a terrorist state while standing in Turkey, a country that regards itself as European. Nato ground forces are but half a mile away. Ranged on the hills overlooking Kobane are rows of Turkish army tanks bristling with fire-power. At first glance, it looks as if this means the cavalry has arrived, ready to sweep into Kobane and offer protection at last to the wretched townsfolk. Surely, you think, it is possible for them to drive just a few hundred yards further, into Syria, and start to disperse the Islamic State fanatics into retreat? But the facts are very different. Although Turkey, with the second largest army in Nato and keen to join the EU, has pledged ‘to do everything’ it can to prevent a massacre unfolding on Europe’s doorstep, in truth, it seems to suit the country’s rulers not to send in their tanks. For, unlike every other Western government, Turkey - with its historic problems with the Kurdish minority - perversely considers Islamic State to be ‘an opportunity not a threat’. Despite there being more than 30 airstrikes on Kobane (pictured) since Monday, Kurdish civilians remained trapped inside the city At the border itself, rather than helping the Syrian Kurds in Kobane, the Turkish military is effectively contributing to the stranglehold by blocking reinforcements that the town so urgently needs. Meanwhile, thousands of Kurds from across Turkey have descended on the border region in the past fortnight to support their Syrian kin. They want to go across and fight, and their sense of betrayal is palpable as the tragedy of Kobane unfolds before their eyes on the other side of a wire fence. Around mid-morning yesterday, a Turkish armoured vehicle zoomed across the desert, spreading clouds of dust. A gunner sitting on top started shouting at the Kurds, ordering them to retreat because Islamic State militants were shelling the nearby border crossing. One man refused to leave, coughing on the dust and yelling back: ‘We will stay here. Our friends and cousins and children are there. We will not move. We don’t believe you. We want to fight IS, even if it is just with stones.’ Crowds of Kurdish refugees and Turkish residents flocked to the border with Syria today to watch the battle unfold in the distance Yasar Igten, 42, a telecoms worker from Istanbul explained the impasse. ‘Those tanks are not here to help us. They will wait and watch, until all the Kurds have been killed by ISIS. They hate the Kurds.’ His view was echoed by Ergin Demurlapu, 40, who said: ‘We are so angry with the Turkish government because they are helping ISIS with money and weapons. Those tanks could help us, but they don’t.’ Others, though, are just glad to be out of the battle-zone. Buzan, 35, a labourer who fled Kobane to Turkey five days ago with his family, is devastated as he stands beneath an olive tree and watches plumes of black smoke rise over his home town. His four children – twins aged three, a four-year-old girl and a five-year-old boy – cling to his leg. They are silent and just stare. The black flag of ISIS is raised on a building situated at the top of the town He says they just ‘ran for our lives’, leaving behind his uncle who was beheaded. He says his children are terrified and did not sleep for days. ‘I built our house, but ISIS have destroyed it. We are lucky to be alive.’ Inside Kobane, under siege for nearly a month, the hideous struggle goes on to prevent it from becoming another ISIS stronghold. Men, women and children as young as ten bearing AK-47s are all that stand in the way of the butchering jihadis. Images of gun-toting grandmothers, teenage girls in jeans and primary school-age boys, all vowing to fight to the last, have been tweeted around the world. Some elderly people have refused to leave their homes, preferring to die there rather than be refugees in a foreign land. One desperate woman, Arin Mirkan, even turned herself into a suicide bomber to kill a group of ISIS fighters. It must be said that five days of US-led bombing raids have had some successes, pushing the extremists back to the edges of the town, which was about to fall a week ago. The low whirr of Tornado fighter aircraft can also be heard in the skies before they drop their bombs. We saw two bombs land yesterday, appearing to strike a hospital used by ISIS as a base in the east of the town, in which they already have a foothold. But almost simultaneously, word spread that ISIS had captured the town’s prison, enabling them to release inmates to help join their cause. ISIS has been able to use high-grade military kit that once belonged to the Americans and were looted from the Iraqi army. They include night-vision googles, meaning they can ambush the unsuspecting civilians of Kobane in the dead of night. Already at least seven people have been beheaded, with subsequent gruesome displays made of their heads. Those who escaped watch helplessly from the hillside overlooking the town. ‘We all have family and friends in there, but no one knows if they are still alive,’ said 38-year-old Ekrem Nassan. ‘We cannot contact them and are very worried about whether they have access to food and water.’ If ISIS succeeds in taking Kobane, the terror group will have seized an unbroken 125-mile stretch of border with Turkey. The town will be subjected to a brutal regime in which anyone disobeying rules will have their head cut off or be crucified. As the Turkish army is accused of standing idly by as atrocities are committed just yards away, parallels have been drawn with the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia during the Balkans War in 1995, when 8,000 people were massacred. Despite the U.S. air-strikes, the Kurds feel very vulnerable - confronting hostility a range of enemies with different historical reasons for seeking to kill them, control them, or rejoice that somebody else – even Islamic State – might do the dirty work for them. Mamoudi Ahmad, 45, a Turkish Kurd, said yesterday: ‘Everyone hates the Kurds. The Turks hate us and will never save us. Meanwhile, [syrian dictator] Bashar al-Assad would be happy to see us crushed. And Islamic State wants to turn Kobane into a medieval caliphate. We don’t have many friends.’ So while Turkey ought to be Nato’s first line of defence against the fundamentalists - and it must be said that most Turks are appalled at the savagery of ISIS, the terror group’s activities may not be entirely unwelcome to the government which fears encouraging the Kurdish separatist movement inside its own borders. The crisis has seen explosive clashes in more than 20 cities as Kurds protested against the government’s aloof stance towards the stricken Syrian Kurds in Kobane. More than 30 people have died including ten yesterday when gunmen opened fire on police in eastern Turkey. Fighting in the small border city has raged for three weeks now in the face of determined jihadist advances It's feared there could be a massacre of civilians if ISIS takes the city of Kobane (pictured), with thousands believed to be trapped either nearby or within the town Six provinces in south-east Turkey have been placed under night-time curfew. Police have been meet the protesters with tear gas, sticks and water cannon, while angry Kurds have hurled stones and Molotov cocktails. For the Kurds, the siege of Kobane has become a rallying cause likened to the infamous atrocity in Iraq in 1998 when the then Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein poisoned 5,000 Kurds at Halabja. Diplomats believe Erdogan is cynically exploiting the IS threat to extract concessions from both the Americans and the Kurds. He is demanding a buffer zone inside Syria, policed by Turkey, and a commitment by Washington to overthrow Assad. Writing in Middle East journal al-Monitor, author Amberin Zaman claimed this week: ‘Erdogan and his disciples view Kobane as an opportunity rather than a threat.’ Whatever the outcome of these international power games, time is running out for the benighted people of Kobane. Caught in crossfire - both diplomatic and deadly real - all they can do is fight, pray and hope. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2788561/dispatches-kobane-border-just-yards-away-mail-s-sam-greenhill-watches-life-death-struggle-kurds-desperately-fighting-isis-maniacs.html#ixzz3Fp22HMN3 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Raghav_12 Newbie

Raghav_12

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Look at what pak got for helping U.S. Fight taliban? Turkey is doing the right thing. Its more of a U.S and other Nato alliances responsibility.
Don't understand how it is responsibility of NATO. Secondly even if it is, Turkey is one of the prominent member of alliance and best placed to take any action. It would be highly insensitive if thousand civilians are killed in front of whole world's eye while Turkey's battle-ready tanks remain parked just across the field. If nothing Turkey can allow other Kurdish volunteers to cross over to Kobani and fight with their brothers. In other solution they can intervene just to evacuate Kurdish civilians out of the clutches of ISIS and then ISIS can fight it out with Kurdish forces to win Kobani.
Raghav_12 Newbie

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On other front in Iraq, ISIS terrorists are closing in on Baghdad and Anbar province. They are said to be within striking distances of Baghdad and are quipped with anti-aircraft missiles. Battle for Baghdad: ISIS now within 8 miles of airport, armed with MANPADS http://rt.com/news/195072-baghdad-airport-isis-manpads/

Islamic State’s offensive on the Iraqi capital intensified as the jihadist fighters advanced as far as Abu Ghraib, a suburb only 8 miles away from Baghdad’s international airport. The outer suburb of Abu Ghraib is also the site of the infamous prison the US military used to humiliate and torture Iraqi detainees. There are reports by the Iraqi military that the militants are in possession of MANPAD anti-aircraft missiles. The short-range, shoulder-fired missiles can shoot down airplanes within a range of 15,000 feet. The Iraqi military, aided by US military personnel, have so far failed in foiling the advance toward Baghdad of the Islamic State militia (also known as ISIS, or ISIL), which has expanded its control of huge swathes of Iraq and Syria despite the increase in US-led airstrikes. Google Maps Google Maps A total of 60,000 Iraqi soldiers are assigned to defend the capital, alongside 12 teams of American advisors, an Iraqi officer told CBS News. Meanwhile, undercover IS militants active within Baghdad are setting off bombs and carrying out attacks. Swift advances have also been by the jihadist militia in Anbar, where Iraqi officials have made an open plea for military aid, warning the city will soon fall to IS. The situation in Anbar, a town due west of Baghdad, is “fragile†a US official told AFP. IS has seized army bases in Anbar province, and has been shelling the provincial capital, Ramadi, 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Baghdad. CNN reported that Iraqi troops in Anbar are in danger of being bottlenecked, citing a senior US defense official. "We do see ISIL continue to make gains in Anbar province and [are] mindful of how Anbar relates to the security of Baghdad," another senior US defense official said. Anbar province is home to Iraq's second biggest dam at Haditha, a major source of water and electrical power. The dam is currently controlled by Iraqi forces, and US airstrikes have targeted IS forces in the area . It has been stated both by the US and Iraq that preventing IS from capturing the area is a key objective, as is holding Baghdad. In Syria, IS forces are vying for control of Kobani, which they now control 40 percent. Kobani is on the Syria-Turkish border and has a Kurdish majority. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura warned Friday that if Kobani falls to ISIS, civilians there would “most likely be massacred.†In June, ISIS insurgents quickly captured Iraq’s second-biggest city, Mosul, north of Baghdad. When they took the city, they seized a large amount of military US equipment originally given to the Iraqi army.
Mariyam Grand Master

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I think ISIS are only a bunch of lunatic terrorists/ gangsters with Nissan pick up trucks and stolen ( or US donated) weapons. I don't follow this news that closely, honestly because its very depressing, but the ISIS's core military sucess lies in massacre of unarmed woman and children. A bunch of rag tag crazies wouldn't stand a chance against an organized fighting force like that of the Kurds. ISIS have been neear Kobane for the better part of the month and yet not been able to take over the town. Yup, but they do know how to play the media game. Murder a few Shias & Christians. Enslave some Yazidis and project power which doesn't exist on the ground. Baghdad is a city of millions. With a hostile population. Noway is ISIS going to be able to capture Baghdad or other parts of Iraq with a Shia majority. They'd get beaten black and blue and theiir entire aura of invincibility would be shattered for ever. What they'd keep doing is capturing defenseless towns and releasing recordings of random attrocities on minorities to the media to keep everyone scared. I have a feeling that such an 'army' like the ISIS could be easily taken out by the Americans if they wished to. Even from the air using drones etc. Its just lack of intent on the part of the USA. They want the ISIS there.

jalebi_bhai Rising Star

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You need to realize something about world politics, something Nehru failed to realize.....every nation acts in its own interests first and foremost......there is no bhaichaara in WP......just vested interests..... Right now.....ISIS is not threatening Turkey.....they are in a threatening position and if they decide to march into Turkey.....the Turks are prepared with their tanks at the border.....the Kurds are not the Turkish government's responsibility.....why stir the hornets nest unnecessarily?.....there is a reason our government hasn't interfered yet except for withdrawing Indian nationals from Iraq.... Also.....the US and NATO are the ones who armed these Islamic rebels to utilize them against Assad.....very much like what they did in Libya.....they've contributed to the mess and are responsible for it......they should've anticipated it frankly with the history of al-qaeda......the military establishment they set up in Iraq was simply too inexperienced.....and with ISIS being backed by the Brotherhood......you have our current mess......

hhunaeh Newbie

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The wiki link from raghav's post has this,

A Pentagon official believes the a media outcry about the situation in Kobane is because there are reporters close by. The official said many other towns have fallen to ISIL without TV crews present.[122] It is unclear why the US Air Force has been concentrating on destroying Syrian oil refineries by airstrikes, instead of trying to protect civilians from ISIL attacks. For example, in the night of September 24 to 25, the US Air Force flew 13 attacks against targets in Syria: 12 of those attacks were against oil refineries, and just one attack was against an ISIL troops' vehicle.[123] US officials indicated to CNN that they were not concerned if Kobane fell and that the US goals in Syria are "not to save cities and towns, but to go after ISIS' senior leadership, oil refineries and other infrastructure that would curb the terror group's ability to operate—particularly in Iraq
jalebi_bhai Rising Star

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The wiki link from raghav's post has this' date='[/quote'] Selling oil is one of the ways ISIS funds itself........so makes sense to destroy one of their means of sustenance.....there could be ulterior motives though.......remains to be seen if the US actually helps Syria rebuild its infrastructure once the conflict subsides.......
Vilander Veteran

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I think ISIS are only a bunch of lunatic terrorists/ gangsters with Nissan pick up trucks and stolen ( or US donated) weapons. I don't follow this news that closely, honestly because its very depressing, but the ISIS's core military success lies in massacre of unarmed woman and children. A bunch of rag tag crazies wouldn't stand a chance against an organized fighting force like that of the Kurds. ISIS have been near Kobane for the better part of the month and yet not been able to take over the town. Yup, but they do know how to play the media game. Murder a few Shias & Christians. Enslave some Yazidis and project power which doesn't exist on the ground. Baghdad is a city of millions. With a hostile population. Noway is ISIS going to be able to capture Baghdad or other parts of Iraq with a Shia majority. They'd get beaten black and blue and theiir entire aura of invincibility would be shattered for ever. What they'd keep doing is capturing defenseless towns and releasing recordings of random attrocities on minorities to the media to keep everyone scared. I have a feeling that such an 'army' like the ISIS could be easily taken out by the Americans if they wished to. Even from the air using drones etc. Its just lack of intent on the part of the USA. They want the ISIS there.
ISIL = Islamic state of Iraq and Levant = Islamic Sunni wahabi extremist. They are not invincible but just mass murderers who kill defenseless based on medieval ideology of caliphs and caliphates. Kurds ( not pashmegra but the syrian ones the YPG do not have the weapons that ISIL have as Iraqi soldiers abandoned the US weapons from their posts, and Biden also was very nice in gifting them lots earlier for fronting Assad regime). These phonies ran away fr Pashmegra as they had women kurds, the scum are scared to die in the hands of women as it would rob them of the 72 virgins it appears. Its pathetic it seems Kobain has just teen girls, elderly and kids with ak47's against these unwashed bearded dreadful anti-human evil, with the Turkish armed might just yards away watching all this unfold. If it was India and this was happening in Pak, we would have intervened. At such times i feel the end is near for humans as a whole, we are long over due for a KT style event.
Raghav_12 Newbie

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Turkish has annoyed a lot of countries, observers and analysts across the global with its attitude which is being criticized as cynical and too selfish by these. Following below is an article which gives some clarity on the Turkish stand. http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2014/10/11/On-Kobane-the-PKK-and-dragging-Turkey-to-war.html On Kobane, the PKK and dragging Turkey to war

Despite evidence stating that the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) is a Marxist-Leninist terror organization, it has been treated kindly by the EU and the U.S. lately, as if the group were rainbow lovers. The PKK and the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) – which is affiliated with the PKK – was supposed to save the Middle East from ISIS and bring democracy to a land of oppressors and become heroes. After being badly beaten by ISIS, the same PKK has been rampaging through the streets of Turkey for the last week, showing its true face to the whole world. At least 31 people were killed and dozens injured across Turkey starting Tuesday as sympathizers of the PKK resorted to violent actions in protest of ISIS taking over the Syrian town of Kobane. Municipal buildings, public libraries, schools, Islamic centers, buses, shops and political party centers were torched by the PKK supporters. Due to the widespread violent protests in the Kurdish populated southeast of Turkey, a curfew was imposed starting from late on Tuesday. The military replaced the police in the cities under a ‘state of emergency’. With these actions, the PKK was not punishing Turkey for not initially joining the fight against ISIS, but punishing the Kurds of Turkey for not joining in. The protests against the recent advance of ISIS in Kobane were not limited to Turkey. Demonstrations flared up in European cities including Rome, London, Vienna, Cologne and Stockholm. Hundreds of Kurdish protesters have occupied the Dutch parliament building, broke into the European Parliament and even caused disorder in always calm Marseille. The PKK is trying to drag Turkey into war As the determined march of ISIS continues, even under the heavy shelling of the coalition forces, (like I explained would have no effect) the Northern Syrian town of Kobane has become a battleground for the PYD/PKK insurgents against ISIS. The PKK is losing the town and is on the brink of complete destruction and apparently aims to drag Turkey down with it. After losing a great majority of its fighters in Kobane (along with the organization’s will to exist) the PKK decided to create a civil war in Turkey to try to divide the country and gain territory along with new recruits. In the PKK's scenario, Turkey would agree with their requests in order to continue the peace process and Turkey would be forced into a war in Syria. Once Turkey enters Syria to fight ISIS, the battlefront would expand to scores of other groups and the Assad regime. Again, according to this scenario, the Turkish military would be too busy fighting a war in Syria - and possibly in northern Iraq - to deal with an internal threat, allowing the PKK to become rooted in the southeastern Turkish towns. “It is time to listen to Turkey, and not impose decisions from London, Washington, and Paris†Ceylan Ozbudak But the PKK did not calculate the fact that neither Turkish bureaucracy nor the Turkish government was open to such provocation and manipulation. I believe the PKK does not represent all Kurds; the compassionate, Muslim Kurds who are my neighbors, friends, relatives and fellow Turkish citizens. Most Kurds do not support PKK, just as most Americans do not support the KKK. When we look at the demographics of the clashes in Turkey, the majority of the people fighting against the PKK's supporters were Turkey’s religious Kurds. Also on the Syrian side, many residents of Kobane left the town long before ISIS’ occupation because they didn’t want to stay under PYD/PKK rule, which did not bring them freedom but fear. These details, these facts and sentiments are not highlighted in the Western press. PKK, an organized group of Marxists have successfully deceived the West that they are the ‘Kurdish resistance’ and the best answer to ISIS. I believe nothing could be further from the truth. The U.N., NATO and Turkey’s allies in the West are mounting daily pressure to force Turkey to get into a war in the Middle East using the “Kurdish civilians in Kobane†card. Firstly, there are few Kurdish civilians left in Kobane; 182,000 are in Turkey and in safety. The town is left only to PYD/PKK forces and ISIS. Secondly, Turkey has nothing to feel guilty about since it has been shouldering the spillover of the war alone for the last three years like a champion. Turkey has already proven to be on the side of civilians – all civilians – from all ethnic backgrounds without any segregation. Hosting close to two million Syrian and Iraqi refugees, Turkey also took in 182,000 Kurdish civilians from North Syria recently in addition to tens of thousands of Yazidis and many other ethnic minorities. Turkey has already spent more than $3.5 billion on refugees alone, which spared Europe from a giant refugee influx. Most of what our Western allies are focusing on now is aerial bombing, which has resulted in civilian casualties. Turkey does not believe in increasing militarization as a solution. It is quite strange to expect that the machinery of war, such as bombs, rifles and missiles, should create an environment of peace and stability. The world is tired of the conflicts in Syria and Iraq; the West is pushing Turkey to the front lines to get involved in the war and bring it to an end. No one is thinking about the civilian casualties, no one is interested in sustainable peace and it seems that no one is interested in what happens to Turkey. The PKK on the other hand is looking for an opportunity to divide Turkey. Turkey will not bow down to provocations. It is time to listen to Turkey, and not impose decisions from London, Washington, and Paris. ________ Ceylan Ozbudak is a Turkish political analyst, television presenter, and executive director of Building Bridges, an Istanbul-based NGO. As a representative of Harun Yahya organization, she frequently cites quotations from the author in her writings. She can be followed on Twitter via @ceylanozbudak
Not that what this article says is agreeable in totality but presents things from Turkish perspective. In brief they put Kurdish Activists (Kurdish terrorist as Turkey likes to call them) at par with ISIS maniacs which is outrightly wrong. Kurdish organizations claim to be secular and much more accommodative. There is absolutely no comparison with ISIS terrorists. No group matched the brutality that ISIS unleashed on the territories it captured. It has emerged that not only Turkey is stopping any support to Kurdish fighters trapped in Kobani, it also allows an ISIS training camp to run in Turkey and also allowing it's channel for ISIS to sell oil which brings lot of funding to ISIS.
sticky wicket Newbie

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Turkey has good reasons not to bomb ISIS, they have a track record in ethnic and religuos genocide, they are yet to recognise and apologise for millions of Armenians they killed in the 1915 Armenian holocaust. I suspect their gov and military would happy for ethnic Kurds to die. So I think the world expecting too much from Turkey. Also not too mention Turkey is very anti-Assad and don't want to get too involved with the Arabs.

Sooda Mentor

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Turkish has annoyed a lot of countries, observers and analysts across the global with its attitude which is being criticized as cynical and too selfish by these. Following below is an article which gives some clarity on the Turkish stand. http://english.alarabiya.net/en/views/news/middle-east/2014/10/11/On-Kobane-the-PKK-and-dragging-Turkey-to-war.html On Kobane, the PKK and dragging Turkey to war Not that what this article says is agreeable in totality but presents things from Turkish perspective. In brief they put Kurdish Activists (Kurdish terrorist as Turkey likes to call them) at par with ISIS maniacs which is outrightly wrong. Kurdish organizations claim to be secular and much more accommodative. There is absolutely no comparison with ISIS terrorists. No group matched the brutality that ISIS unleashed on the territories it captured. It has emerged that not only Turkey is stopping any support to Kurdish fighters trapped in Kobani, it also allows an ISIS training camp to run in Turkey and also allowing it's channel for ISIS to sell oil which brings lot of funding to ISIS.
That is a interesting article from Turkish p.o.v thanks for posting. Do hear a lot in Western press slating Turkish Govt for not getting involved more. As the article rightly states they are doing a lot for refugees. They dont want to give the PKK any kind of encouragement, and in fact were bombing PKK positions in souther Turkey. There are even divisions amongst the Kurds. Its all very compliocated :nervous:
Detonator Newbie

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U.S., Russia agree to share intelligence on common enemy: Islamic State militants By Matt Spetalnick

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed on Tuesday to increase intelligence sharing between Moscow and Washington on Islamic State militants, focusing on a common enemy. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during a news conference at the Chief of Mission Residence in Paris, October 14, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Carolyn Kaster/Pool PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed on Tuesday to increase intelligence sharing between Moscow and Washington on Islamic State militants, focusing on a common enemy even as deep divisions remained over the crisis in Ukraine. Speaking in Paris after talks with his Russian counterpart, Kerry said the two world powers, whose relations have hit a post-Cold War low over Russia’s role in Ukraine, had a “major responsibility” to find ways to work together on global issues, despite their stark differences in a number of areas. While leaving little doubt that mutual distrust remains, Kerry stressed that the search for common ground between the two countries against Islamic State, which has seized large swaths of Iraq and Syria in a brutal campaign. "We both recognize the need to destroy and ultimately defeat ISIL, to degrade their efforts and ultimately to defeat them,” Kerry told a news conference, using an alternative name for the group. "No decent country by any definition could support the horrors that are perpetrated by ISIL, and no civilized country should shirk its responsibility to stand up and be part of the effort to stamp out this disease." Kerry said the United States and Russia had agreed to “intensify intelligence cooperation with respect to ISIL and other counterterrorism challenges of the region.” He said Moscow would also explore whether it could do more to help arm and train Iraq's embattled military. However, Kerry stopped short of saying that Moscow would join the U.S.-led international coalition against Islamic State. In recent years, as U.S.-Russian relations have deteriorated, intelligence cooperation has suffered. Moscow has made clear it suspects Washington's ulterior motive is the removal of its ally, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, and has insisted that U.S. air strikes there need Syrian government and United Nations approval. Washington rejects this. DIFFERENCES ON UKRAINE Lavrov has recently called for a new "reset" in relations between Washington and Moscow, referring to an initiative President Barack Obama pursued early in his first term but which has since faded. Signaling just how difficult it could be to make such a positive shift, Kerry called on Russia to do more to help fully implement a ceasefire in Ukraine between the Western-backed government and pro-Russian separatists rebels fighting in the eastern part of the country. The truce has come under strain at times since it took effect last month He said “foreign forces and weapons” must be withdrawn and Russia must complete the pullback of its troops, including heavy equipment, from its border with Ukraine. Kerry also warned that the United States and the international community would not recognize any referendum held in separatist-held areas of Ukraine, and acknowledged this was a “point of disagreement” in his more than three hours of talks with Lavrov. Kiev and its Western backers accuse Moscow of backing a pro-Russian separatist revolt in eastern Ukraine by providing troops and arms. Russia denies the charges but says it has a right to defend the interests of the region's Russian-speaking majority. The West has introduced a wide range of sanctions against Russian banks, energy companies and individuals for Moscow's role in the Ukrainian conflict, which has claimed the lives of over 3,000 people. In the fight against Islamic State, the United States and Russia have common ground in their concern about fighters from their countries joining the group’s insurgency and then returning to carry out attacks at home. “ There may be as many as 500 or more from Russia,” Kerry said. These include fighters from Russia's predominantly Muslim North Caucasus, a region where militants wage daily violence to establish an Islamic state. (Additional reporting by Nicholas Vinocur; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Jonathan Oatis)
http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/10/15/mideast-crisis-kerry-idINKCN0I402R20141015
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