ISIL fighters advance in Kobane, Turkey still not sending troops

Islamic Extremism

The U.S.-led coalition is stepping up its air campaign in Kobane, but ISIL fighters are taking greater control of the Syrian border town despite the airstrikes. CCTV America’s Michal Bardavid reports.

Fighters with ISIL currently control about 40 percent of the Syrian town of Kobane along the Turkish border. They are continuing to make gains, while Turkish military tanks are watching but not firing.

Many Kurdish people at the border are furious at the Turkish government for their perceived inaction. They warn that if Kobane falls, there will be serious repercussions for Turkey and an escalation of violence.

“If Turkey stays silent, it will be much worse, we know this. In every corner around Turkey, there will be war, people will die, shops will be burned down, cars will be set on fire, people will die. You can already see people’s reactions, people will start attacking soldiers, attacking police… a big massacre could happen,” one Kurd said.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan criticized domestic demonstrations calling for action against ISIL.

“Turkey is not a country which would determine its domestic and foreign policy based on the violent acts of terrorists and drifters. Both those dummies, and the leaders who hold their strings in hand, should be aware that Turkey is not a country to be intimidated by street protests and change direction,” Erdogan said.

Over the past three days, more than 30 people have died during protests across Turkey between mainly Kurdish demonstrators and police.