Encouraging news came in the form of Kurdish advancement on the town of Kobani. On Monday, Kurdish forces stated that they have reclaimed Kobani and have pushed ISIS forces back.
The Pentagon could not state that the battle for Kobani was officially over, but did announce that the U.S-led coalition had made advances. Reuters reports that the Pentagon stated the U.S. coalition had the upper hand.
“I am not prepared to say the battle there is won. The battle continues. But as of now, friendly forces ... I believe, have the momentum,” said Colonel Steve Warren. He also commented that the coalition controlled about 90 percent of Kobani.
YPG, or Kurdish People’s Protection Units, reclaimed the majority of Kobani with the help of U.S.-led airstrikes. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that in the four-month battle for Kobani, about 979 Islamic militants and 324 YPG fighters were killed. YPG forces are currently combing the streets of Kobani for any remaining IS fighters and explosive devices.
Contrary to the news of Kobani being reclaimed by the YPG, the Islamic State posted on social media outlets, claiming that the battle for Kobani was ongoing.
The Islamic State first claimed Kobani back in October 6, and the battle over the town lasted for 112 days. This town is of strategic importance to the extremist group because of its proximity to Turkey. The Islamic State hoped to attack Turkey from Kobani.
Though many estimate that anti-Islamic forces have reclaimed a majority of Kobani, thousands of refugees remain dislocated. The waves of airstrikes have destroyed significant portions of Kobani. Further, the militants riddled the Kobani streets with landmines and thus leave many parts of Kobani uninhabitable.
Despite the losses, the reclamation of Kobani would be a major victory for the international anti-IS coalition. At the sight of a YPG flag in Kobani, Kurds danced and celebrated at the nearby border of Turkey.
