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Iraqi Kurds gather forces to aid embattled Syrian town fighting Islamic State Iraqi Kurds gather forces to aid embattled Syrian town fighting Islamic State
(less than a minute earlier)
Kurdish militiamen from Iraq took their first steps Tuesday to enter the battle against the Islamic State in Syria, news agencies reported, in a mission that underscored the regional political tensions complicating the U.S.-led alliance confronting the militants.Kurdish militiamen from Iraq took their first steps Tuesday to enter the battle against the Islamic State in Syria, news agencies reported, in a mission that underscored the regional political tensions complicating the U.S.-led alliance confronting the militants.
The dispatch of the reinforcements followed extensive negotiations for transit through Turkey, which is wary of further strengthening the region’s Kurdish bonds after fighting its own Kurdish insurgency since the 1980s.The dispatch of the reinforcements followed extensive negotiations for transit through Turkey, which is wary of further strengthening the region’s Kurdish bonds after fighting its own Kurdish insurgency since the 1980s.
Trucks carrying troops and weapons left northern Iraq for the nearly 300-mile trip through Turkey to the embattled Syrian border town of Kobane, according to the Rudaw news agency, which is close to the Iraqi Kurdish leadership.Trucks carrying troops and weapons left northern Iraq for the nearly 300-mile trip through Turkey to the embattled Syrian border town of Kobane, according to the Rudaw news agency, which is close to the Iraqi Kurdish leadership.
The rest of the 150-member Iraqi Kurdish contingent was expected to depart later by plane from the Kurds’ semiautonomous region in northern Iraq, Rudaw and other news agencies reported, citing senior Kurdish officials.The rest of the 150-member Iraqi Kurdish contingent was expected to depart later by plane from the Kurds’ semiautonomous region in northern Iraq, Rudaw and other news agencies reported, citing senior Kurdish officials.
The fighters, known as pesh merga, are then expected to cross into Syria to join Syrian Kurds defending Kobane, which has been the target of intensified U.S. airstrikes aimed at driving back the Islamic State assault.The fighters, known as pesh merga, are then expected to cross into Syria to join Syrian Kurds defending Kobane, which has been the target of intensified U.S. airstrikes aimed at driving back the Islamic State assault.
Turkey has military units deployed on the border but refuses to launch a solo ground offensive into Kobane. Turkey opposes the ties between the Syrian Kurds and a Kurdish rebel faction in Turkey that has waged a three-decade guerrilla campaign for greater rights.Turkey has military units deployed on the border but refuses to launch a solo ground offensive into Kobane. Turkey opposes the ties between the Syrian Kurds and a Kurdish rebel faction in Turkey that has waged a three-decade guerrilla campaign for greater rights.
Although Kurds in Syria and Iraq have been among the front-line fighters against the Islamic State, long-standing regional worries about Kurdish autonomy and identity have become a sticking point in organizing forces.Although Kurds in Syria and Iraq have been among the front-line fighters against the Islamic State, long-standing regional worries about Kurdish autonomy and identity have become a sticking point in organizing forces.
Turkey and the United States classify Turkey’s Kurdish rebels as a terrorist group. The Kurdish ethnic homeland encompasses parts of Syria, Iraq, Turkey and Iran.Turkey and the United States classify Turkey’s Kurdish rebels as a terrorist group. The Kurdish ethnic homeland encompasses parts of Syria, Iraq, Turkey and Iran.
Turkey eventually agreed to allow the Iraqi pesh merga to pass through its territory to reach Kobane. But Turkey imposed restrictions, including limiting the number of fighters allowed to cross, reports said.Turkey eventually agreed to allow the Iraqi pesh merga to pass through its territory to reach Kobane. But Turkey imposed restrictions, including limiting the number of fighters allowed to cross, reports said.
For the Islamic State, gaining control of Kobane would be a potential propaganda boost. The battle for Kobane has played out within sight of journalists and observers on the Turkish border.For the Islamic State, gaining control of Kobane would be a potential propaganda boost. The battle for Kobane has played out within sight of journalists and observers on the Turkish border.
The pesh merga contingent is unlikely to tip the scales against the well-armed Islamic State militants, but its arrival could open the way for more reinforcements.The pesh merga contingent is unlikely to tip the scales against the well-armed Islamic State militants, but its arrival could open the way for more reinforcements.
The role of the Iraqi Kurds also is unclear. On Sunday, a spokesman for Iraq’s Kurdish region, Safeen Dizayee, was quoted as saying that the pesh merga will not initially engage in combat but will provide artillery support for Kobane’s defenders.The role of the Iraqi Kurds also is unclear. On Sunday, a spokesman for Iraq’s Kurdish region, Safeen Dizayee, was quoted as saying that the pesh merga will not initially engage in combat but will provide artillery support for Kobane’s defenders.
Rudaw, the Kurdish news agency, reported that about 150 pesh merga would arrive in Kobane by early Wednesday.Rudaw, the Kurdish news agency, reported that about 150 pesh merga would arrive in Kobane by early Wednesday.
At least four U.S. airstrikes have targeted Islamic State positions around Kobane since Monday, the U.S. Central Command said. Other air attacks by the U.S. and its allies were launched in Iraq, including one against an Islamic State unit west of Baghdad, the military said.At least four U.S. airstrikes have targeted Islamic State positions around Kobane since Monday, the U.S. Central Command said. Other air attacks by the U.S. and its allies were launched in Iraq, including one against an Islamic State unit west of Baghdad, the military said.