Article

2014-11-02 Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Battle for Kobane Rages as Iraqi Fighters Arrive

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Posted by trailing wife 2014-11-02 00:01|| || Front Page|| [11132 views ] Top
File under: Islamic State

#1 Iraqi Kurdish troops bring out heavy guns in Kobane

ERBIL/SYRIAN-TURKISH BORDER - Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga troops entered into the battle for the besieged city of Kobane in earnest on Sunday, as the sound of heavy weaponry they brought with them from Iraq echoed across the Syrian-Turkish border, according to a Rudaw team on the Turkish side.

US-led coalition planes pounded Islamic State (ISIS) positions in the city overnight in the most intense bombing in weeks, with local witnesses counting between five and seven strikes between 10pm Saturday and 7am Sunday. Planes hit another ISIS position late Sunday morning, which was followed by fierce Kurdish gunfire nearby.

Sources within the Peshmerga confirmed that Kurdish Region troops had deployed to various positions within the city accompanying People’s Protection Units (PYD), the Syrian Kurdish force that resisted the militants alone for two weeks without airstrikes, and six weeks without help on the ground.

Meanwhile hundreds of civilians fleeing the fighting were seen on the border. The Turkish military prevented a number of people from delivering food, water, and other supplies to the crowd as they waited to cross.

A large number of cars could also be seen, as many refugees entering Turkey with cars were not able to pay the automobile toll, which costs $700 according to several Kobane residents. (Link)

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 10:11|| 2014-11-02 10:11|| Front Page Top

#2 Sam Fisher, Jeremy Dale Woodard and other American Veterans join Jordan Matson to form an American YPG unit within the Kurdish YPG armed forces in Syia.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 10:20|| 2014-11-02 10:20|| Front Page Top

#3 Credit Australia, one of the men in the above picture is a Veteran of Australia's armed forces.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 10:24|| 2014-11-02 10:24|| Front Page Top

#4 Newly arrived Iraqi Peshmerga from the Kurdish region of Iraq meet and great with non Kurdish Free Syrian Army members fighting in Kobane, Syria against ISIS. Forces throughout the middle East are now allied and fighting together in Kobane, Syria against ISIS.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 10:31|| 2014-11-02 10:31|| Front Page Top

#5 That ain't an Iraqi sleeve patch. It's Iranian.

Posted by badanov 2014-11-02 10:33|| http://www.chriscovert.net 2014-11-02 10:33|| Front Page Top

#6 “The peshmerga forces that joined the resistance in Kobane and our forces launched a coordinated attack. The attack was launched on the position of the gangs around the town with Katyusha rockets. No information has yet been obtained regarding the result of the attack”, said the YPG Press Centre. The YPG Press Centre has issued a statement on the 48th day of the Kobanê resistance, saying that in the last 24 hours 43 gang members have been killed. The statement also said that the YPG and peshmerga had carried out a coordinated attack on the gangs using Katyusha rockets.

*****

The YPG has provided detailed information regarding the clashes that intensified in the northwest of Kobane, in Municipality Street and Azadi Square of the town. YPG also reported that YPG and peshmerga forces jointly launched an operation targeting the ISIS gangs with rockets.
YPG said while the attacks of the ISIS gangs were repulsed, gangs suffered heavy losses in the counter attacks launched by YPG forces.
YPG said their forces launched operations against the positions of the gangs in the Kaniya Kurda area to the northwest of the town.
YPG said: “As far as ascertained, 14 gang members were killed in the operation. Our forces seized 2 heavy machine guns, 1 rocket, 1 AK 47 and a large amount of ammunition belonging to these weapons. Our forces also seized the bodies of 3 gang members”.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 10:43|| 2014-11-02 10:43|| Front Page Top

#7 hundreds of civilians fleeing the fighting were seen on the border. The Turkish military prevented a number of people from delivering food, water, and other supplies to the crowd as they waited to cross. A large number of cars could also be seen, as many refugees entering Turkey with cars were not able to pay the automobile toll, which costs $700

Ah the always compassionate Turks. /sarc What incredible scumbags the Turks are. Whya re we still treating them like an ally, when their behavior shows them to be hostile?

1. Withdraw all US and NATO forces from Turkey.

2. stop all aid, military and financial to Turkey, kicking them out of NATO.

3. Stop all trade agreements with Turkey from which they draw any benefit.

4. Back the Kurds for their revolution and insurgency for their homeland inside SE Turkey, and do so in a meaningful manner, such as promising full military support if Kurdistan is attacked.

5. Just to piss off Erdogan, back Greece in all disputes, especially Cyprus.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-11-02 10:46|| 2014-11-02 10:46|| Front Page Top

#8 Thats not Iranian, its the Kurdish flag.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-11-02 10:50|| 2014-11-02 10:50|| Front Page Top

#9 Peshmerga flag is very similar.

Posted by swksvolFF 2014-11-02 10:52|| 2014-11-02 10:52|| Front Page Top

#10 (#5) Iranian and Kurdish flags are similar.

Kurdish flag:

Iranian flag:

The flags are very similar with the difference between Iranian and Kurdish flags is the bars are flipped and the center of the flag is home to a different symbol. The patch is Kurdish.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 10:53|| 2014-11-02 10:53|| Front Page Top

#11 badanov's point is true, EH is putting out some good pics (#4s hands is an A+ contender), careful of not-accurate stuff.

Posted by swksvolFF 2014-11-02 11:03|| 2014-11-02 11:03|| Front Page Top

#12 #5 That ain't an Iraqi sleeve patch. It's Iranian.

What's the weapon he is carrying? An M4?

Posted by JohnQC 2014-11-02 11:07|| 2014-11-02 11:07|| Front Page Top

#13 What's the weapon he is carrying? An M4?

Looks like a Colt Commando

Posted by badanov 2014-11-02 11:12|| http://www.chriscovert.net 2014-11-02 11:12|| Front Page Top

#14 JohnQC,

To my surprise I am finding the best source is Twitter. Kurds are heavy Tweeters. They check each others images, videos and reports as they are intensely concerned about what is going on in their region so they are quick to fact check and correct their information as well as we are.

The Pesh, YPG, YPJ, FSA and many others including ISIS have numerous hashtags throughout Twitter.

I have to do a lot of Arabic to English translations but I find the Kurdish resistance fascinating.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 11:36|| 2014-11-02 11:36|| Front Page Top

#15 Correction, the above message was more for swksvolFF.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 11:38|| 2014-11-02 11:38|| Front Page Top

#16

The Vierkleur. Different geography, same cause of freedom. Die rooi, wit, en blou is nie toeval [no accident] nie.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-11-02 11:41|| 2014-11-02 11:41|| Front Page Top

#17 The fallout from ISIS is the Kurds plan to be a force to recon with. They are in the process of growing their military capabilities in the ME 7 times over.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 11:46|| 2014-11-02 11:46|| Front Page Top

#18 Your posts here are very much appreciated, Ebbomosh Hupemp2664

Thanks for the correction from you are OS.

Posted by badanov 2014-11-02 11:55|| http://www.chriscovert.net 2014-11-02 11:55|| Front Page Top

#19 Very much appreciated indeed. #2 reminds of another group of Americans, long since forgotten, or nearly so.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-11-02 11:58|| 2014-11-02 11:58|| Front Page Top

#20 Thank you Badanov.

Word is that the Kobane Alliance is now going to start pushing ISIS out of all of Kobane. Their first object is the Security Zone area of Kobane.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 12:01|| 2014-11-02 12:01|| Front Page Top

#21 Ebb, Very true - no putting the Kurds back into the corner. I've "trained the trainers" to the west of Iraq for people indigenous to the Kurdish region. And "visited" there briefly in better times.

Its time we quit pretending and simply supported the Kurds overtly throught the region. The Cult of Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) is worrisome, but its also a lever. He's 66, and he has already moved philosophically from the marxist toward western/democratic social ideaology, If *he* gets credit for being a founding father (ego!) of Kursdistan, there might be a route to get the PKK into a liberating and militaristic but non-terroristic (no civilian targets) force. They've already renounced civilian targets years ago.

The western press needs to catch up, and stop parroting the Turkish/Erdogan propaganda.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-11-02 12:02|| 2014-11-02 12:02|| Front Page Top

#22 Interesting assessment at #21.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-11-02 12:05|| 2014-11-02 12:05|| Front Page Top

#23 OldSpook

Agreed. Especially the female Kurdish population who now have the right to possess automatic weapons, not have to wear the hijab and are inclusive will also be a force to recon with on the political front.

Your training of the people in that region clearly has impacted the region. The young warriors there are very disciplined and are busting ISIS pretty good.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 12:11|| 2014-11-02 12:11|| Front Page Top

#24 good work, EH

Posted by Frank G 2014-11-02 12:19|| 2014-11-02 12:19|| Front Page Top

#25 Thank you Frank G.

There are three videos that were not in the format that could be posted here, that show the terrible battle skills of ISIS.

Each of them shows ISIS running out into the street to spray with automatic weapons, only to get cut to pieces by the Kurds.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 12:24|| 2014-11-02 12:24|| Front Page Top

#26 Post the links here anyway. I bet I can find a youtube version.

Posted by badanov 2014-11-02 12:25|| http://www.chriscovert.net 2014-11-02 12:25|| Front Page Top

#27 Don't doubt your accuracy, and it is really A+ work, there are those who are looking for that one bad apple to discredit the whole line.

Your work is being shared, and it is much appreciated by us out here.

Posted by swksvolFF 2014-11-02 12:30|| 2014-11-02 12:30|| Front Page Top

#28 Will do Badanov, will try to locate them. Thanks Besoeker. Thanks to Fred for the forum.

A detective with the CIA gleans information from this site and uses for his work. Centcom is also aware of the site.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 12:35|| 2014-11-02 12:35|| Front Page Top

#29 A detective with the CIA gleans information from this site and uses for his work. Centcom is also aware of the site.
*waves to the lurkers in the neat, black suits, and the others in the even neater uniforms* It's kind of you to mention that, Ebbomosh Hupemp2664. As I recall, someone mentioned mentioning this site to Mr. Rumsfeld, back when he was running things in the geometric building. I gorge on the educational aspects of this site, and the comfort of knowing when I do and don't need to worry when Mr. Wife is perambulating round the world on his little business trips, but it's nice to know we also are serving the struggle even as we snark among ourselves. :-)

Posted by trailing wife 2014-11-02 12:54|| 2014-11-02 12:54|| Front Page Top

#30 Kurdish YPG Homemade armored troup carriers.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 12:55|| 2014-11-02 12:55|| Front Page Top

#31 Ebbomosh, keep posting in either comments or as guest posts. It's very much appreciated and helps make Rantburg University what it is. If you need help with the latter let us mods know and we'll do what we can. You can post pics by sending them to us or by embedding a link.

Posted by Steve White 2014-11-02 12:57|| 2014-11-02 12:57|| Front Page Top

#32 Thank you TW.

I have talked to people in the CIA as well as Centcom's office of investigations who refer to this forum for information on the "badboyz" and "wallah jackets" around the world.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 13:00|| 2014-11-02 13:00|| Front Page Top

#33 Thank you Steve White. Will do. You guys have a vital platform that the US MSM should have but do not have in the name of Freedom that is important to people around the world.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 13:03|| 2014-11-02 13:03|| Front Page Top

#34 Iraqi Peshmerga fighting behind Kurdish lines in Kobane, Syria launched Katyusha rockets into a nest of ISIS fighters 5KM east of Kobane in Abrosh, Syria designated in the red box in the image below.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 13:30|| 2014-11-02 13:30|| Front Page Top

#35 #2 reminds of another group of Americans, long since forgotten, or nearly so

I recall talking with a couple of "sales reps" in Mombasa back in 1979, when our battlegroup was in port. It was interesting and very low-key. Rumor was that they got a few hires from those who EAOS'ed.

Posted by Pappy 2014-11-02 14:53|| 2014-11-02 14:53|| Front Page Top

#36 That ain't an Iraqi sleeve patch. It's Iranian.

As previously mentioned, it's not. However, the camouflage pattern is one supposedly still used by IRGC special units (and Iranian border police.)

Posted by Pappy 2014-11-02 15:00|| 2014-11-02 15:00|| Front Page Top

#37 Yes, very low key... and even so today. Being on the right side of history is not always rewarding. Things might be quite different today if our government had provided support as well. They were after all, fighting communists. Thank God for U.S. Naval Air. At least they are pounding the ISIS bastards as best they can and are permitted.

You hear all the chin wagging about defeating terrorism. Well fok Charles, here's you're bloody chance, they're all queuing up for us.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-11-02 15:05|| 2014-11-02 15:05|| Front Page Top

#38 Pappy, those uniforms could have come from Iran:

April 2014 Article

IRBIL: Iran has supplied weapons and ammunition to Iraqi Kurdish forces, Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani said Tuesday at a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Irbil, capital of Iraq's Kurdish region.

The direct arming of Kurdish forces is a contentious issue because some Iraqi politicians have said they suspect Kurdish leaders have aspirations to break away from the central government completely. The move could also be seen by some as a prelude to Iran taking a more direct role in broader Iraqi conflict.

"We asked for weapons and Iran was the first country to provide us with weapons and ammunition," Barzani said.

Read more: (Link)

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 15:10|| 2014-11-02 15:10|| Front Page Top

#39 That pattern camo is similar to the tricolor "pinks" the US used to have, back toward Desert Storm post-chocolate-chip. Its common enough in the region, plus the Navy was wearing similar up until a few years ago.

As for the training, all the training in the world isn't going to remedy the lack of heavy weapons, especially artillery. Light infantry can only do so much on its own.

The rocket attack is more of whats needed - interdiction that I'm always nattering on about. ISIS is not putting their top end troops from what those videos show. Those are not the hard Chechen fighters, those are hamburger volunteers.

The PKK videos I have seen, although likely edited with bias aforethought, show some pretty good fire discipline versus the usual Arab irregulars' pray and spray.

As far as training in the region, nothing recent, but I know others who have done some of that as late as this past winter. A bit of snow in the area.

Problem with getting old is your friends get old too, and fewer of us still able to be active with anything more than a keyboard, and fewer of us still around. Thats how things go - one can hope to preserve the lessons learned so they don't have to be relearned. Academics like Obama seem to think they don't need institutional memory for anything. Damned fools.

God help the Kurds, because in the end, we aren't going to do much with the current leadership in place.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-11-02 15:43|| 2014-11-02 15:43|| Front Page Top

#40 Oh, and to be clear, nothing I post here is anything other than from open sources and a bit of analytical thought tempered by age.

Posted by OldSpook 2014-11-02 15:52|| 2014-11-02 15:52|| Front Page Top

#41 ....as he clutches his thumbdrive.

Posted by Besoeker 2014-11-02 15:54|| 2014-11-02 15:54|| Front Page Top

#42 OldSpook, A Keyboard can be mightier than a Sword.

L.A., California based Kurdish actress Helan Abdulla who is an ardent supporter of the Peshmerga, especially in their fight against ISIS, is now receiving death threats.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 16:35|| 2014-11-02 16:35|| Front Page Top

#43 Ebbomosh Hupemp2664: Fantastic job!

Posted by JohnQC 2014-11-02 17:32|| 2014-11-02 17:32|| Front Page Top

#44 Thank you JohnQC.

Peshmerga diffuses a road side bomb.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 17:54|| 2014-11-02 17:54|| Front Page Top

#45 Courage is after diffusing numerous road side bombs you sit down on tons of explosives to strike a match and have a smoke.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 18:01|| 2014-11-02 18:01|| Front Page Top

#46 Thanks guys for the very nice comments today. Good Night, stay safe.

Posted by Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 2014-11-02 18:38|| 2014-11-02 18:38|| Front Page Top

#47 ISIS is not putting their top end troops from what those videos show. Those are not the hard Chechen fighters, those are hamburger volunteers

I suspect the hardcore elements are being used to hold and solidify IS territory in Syria, as well as NKVD-type troops elsewhere to keep the volunteers moving forward and in 'cleaning up' recalcitrant tribes and villages.

Posted by Pappy 2014-11-02 20:28|| 2014-11-02 20:28|| Front Page Top

22:48 SteveS
22:34 Herb Threamp3807
21:37 Injun Ulomoque8628
20:47 Injun Ulomoque8628
20:39 Pappy
20:35 USN, Ret.
20:33 Pappy
20:28 Pappy
20:26 USN, Ret.
19:57 Old Patriot
19:53 Old Patriot
19:51 Frank G
19:10 Herb Threamp3807
18:38 Ebbomosh Hupemp2664
18:34 swksvolFF
18:26 James
18:12 JohnQC
18:09 JohnQC
18:07 JohnQC
18:01 Ebbomosh Hupemp2664
18:01 Herb Threamp3807
17:59 Rambler in Virginia
17:54 Ebbomosh Hupemp2664
17:32 JohnQC