The Kobani Massacre

On January 26, 2015, the Kurdish self-defense forces seized the last large stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) Mujahideen in the Syrian city of Kobani. Militias kicked out Islamists from the Kanya Kurda area in the east of the city ^[1] . The siege of Kobani lasted 133 days. ISIS Islamists have faced well-organized resistance. More than 3 thousand Kurdish militias, including women's units ( YPJ ), fought for the city. ^[2] As a representative of the National Council of Kurdistan explained to a RIA Novosti journalist, “Kobani for us is Stalingrad .” The United States first used the F-22 Raptor to strike at ISIS positions in Koban. ^[3] .

On June 17, 2015, ^[5] celebrations took place in Kobani on the occasion of the capture of Islam by the YPG and the Army ^{[by whom? ]} ISIL strategic stronghold of Tal Abyad ^[6] in the province of Raqqa . Thus, the blockade of Kobani was lifted, the Kurds occupied the territory of Syria united, the ways of oil export from ISIS and the entry of Muhajirs, including from Russia to ISIS through Turkey, were torn down. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged the success of the rebels of Syrian Kurdistan and said that he threatened the security of Turkey. ^[7]

On June 25, IS fighters launched an offensive on Kobani. The attack began at night when a car bomb exploded on the very edge of the city. Immediately after the explosion, jihadists attacked the city from three sides, shooting everyone who came across them along the way. As a result of fierce fighting in the city, dozens of those killed. At least 60-70 people, many of whom are women and children, were injured, 12 people died ^{[8] [9]} .

Meanwhile, Syrian state television claimed that Kobani was attacked by militants who entered Syrian territory from Turkey . A spokeswoman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry categorically denied these allegations, calling them a lie ^[10] .

On June 27, Kurdish militia forces launched a counterattack and repelled Kobani from the Islamists. The speaker of the People’s Self-Defense Detachment Redur Zelil said that more than 60 militants were killed as a result of the operation, another 8 fled to the Turkish border ^[11] .

According to Syrian human rights activists, during the day of their stay in Kobani, the Islamists shot at least 145 civilians ^[11] .

Statement on the dead in Koban from the YPG High Command: 198 civilians, 21 militia fighters, 14 Kurdistan security personnel. More than 200 people were injured. According to other sources, 221 IS terrorists were killed, 9 captured, Kurdish YPG forces lost 80 fighters . One of the jihadists shot two of his own, released 16 hostages and switched to the YPG side - an extremely rare fact. The US Green Berets official considers these events a separate second battle for Kobani. ^[12]

Despite the initial success of the IS terrorists, the Kurds retained control of Kobani.

Also, an important outcome of the battle is a new treaty concluded between the Syrian army and the Kurdish militia. According to the agreement, Kurdish people's self-defense units will help the Syrians to fight with militants in the province of Hasek. In exchange for this, the Kurds will be able to manage those areas that they will recapture, and even hang their flag on administrative buildings instead of the official Syrian. Also, the Syrian authorities transferred some heavy weapons to the armed Kurdish units. ^[13] .

•   Turkey - after the success of the Kurdish militia forces in Kobani, and the conclusion of an agreement with the Syrian army, the Turkish president said that he would not allow the creation of the state of Kurdistan at its borders. Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed dissatisfaction with the advance of Kurdish forces in northern Syria. “I call on the international community. Whatever it costs us, we will not allow the creation of a new state near our borders, ”said the Turkish president on the evening of June 26 ^[14] .

• Fights for Kobani