Kobane at risk of IS takeover; Turkey still not sending troops

World Today

Published reports say Kurdish forces halted the advance of Islamic State fighters surrounding the Syrian town of Kobane on Turkey’s southeastern border. U.S.-led coalition also launched extra air support at Turkey’s request.

MORE ISLAMIC STATE COVERAGE ON CCTV AMERICA.

If Kobane falls, IS will control a large portion of Northern Syria, which would be especially detrimental to Kurds on the Turkish side of the border.

At the border in Turkey, crowds of people with relatives in Kobane wait helplessly. The military will not allow them to march into Syria to join the fight against IS. Turkish officials have intervened against the Kurds who have been protesting government inaction over Kobane.

At least 19 people have died in demonstrations across Turkey, including in Ankara and Istanbul. While Turkey insists that it does not want Kobane to fall, it still will not commit troops to fight, which many observers consider necessary as airstrikes alone will not clear the terrorists inside the town.

CCTV America’s Michal Bardavid reports.

Follow Michal Bardavid on Twitter @michalbardavid