As ISIS attacks on Kobanê enter their 32nd day, the gangs are suffering serious blows at the hands of the YPG. After reaching certain neighbourhoods of the town the gangs are now beginning to falter as they face the YPG resistance.

YPG/YPJ Kobanê commander Meryem Kobanê spoke to ANF, saying that in the last two days in particular things have gone well and that the initiative is now with them. She added that the gangs were trying to overcome their disarray with suicide attacks, but that all these attempts had been prevented by the YPG fighters. She said that despite this, the ISIS gangs were continuing their attacks, and were renewing their military build-up.  

Gangs are targeting the border gate

Meryem Kobanê said that clashes were continuing, “but the initiative is now with the YPG. Clashes are now concentrated in the east of the town, on the border. The gangs are trying to reach the Mürşitpınar gate, but our forces are inflicting heavy blows on them.”

She said there had been constant mortar fire on the town from the Miştenur hill and some houses in recent days, and that Miştenur was still under the control of the ISIS gangs.

We have forced the gangs back in the town centre

Meryem Kobanê said there had been significant developments to the west of the town around Tel Shair, adding: “We have liberated the village of Tel Shair and our forces have control of the hill. We have also forced the gangs back a few streets in the centre of town in the area around the town hall and inflicted serious blows on them.”

Initiative is now with the YPG

Meryem Kobanê said that since yesterday the initiative has been with the YPG, adding that they had attacked the hill in the Kanîya Kûrda area where an ISIS flag had been flying, taking it down. However, she added that ISIS gangs were still in the Kanîya Kûrda area and that their operations were continuing against them in order to cleanse the whole town of the gangs.

ISIS gangs attempting suicide attacks to overcome their setbacks

Kobanê recalled that the gangs had attempted several suicide attacks in recent days, saying these attempts were related to the setbacks they had suffered. Kobanê said it would not be possible for the gangs to succeed with these attacks, as the YPG fighters had taken precautions and prevented these attacks with bomb-laden vehicles.

Meryem Kobanê concluded by promising the Kurdish people that: “we will triumph. We have belief and we are determined. We will succeed, no one should have any doubt about that. Kobanê has not fallen and it will not fall.”