The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has recaptured the strategic hill that overlooks the besieged city of Kobane (‘Ayn Al-‘Arab) in the Aleppo Governorate. Earlier today, an ISIS (var. ISIL) contingent forced fighters from the People’s Protection Forces (YPG) to retreat east after violent firefights at Tal Sha’eer. The YPG captured Tal-Sha’eer two weeks ago, leading to a counter-offensive for the latter against ISIS forces in west Kobane.
According to a source in Aleppo, a Kurdish militia from Iraq has arrived in Kobane to assist the besieged city by ISIS militants. The Peshmerga Forces who operate in Iraq’s predominately Kurdish provinces of Suleimaniyyeh and Erbil are now present in Kobane. Peshmerga Forces have significant experience fighting ISIS militants in Iraq (i.e. liberation of Mosul Dam); their presence should boost the embattled YPG and FSA forces combatting ISIS.