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U.S. Airdrops Arms and Ammo for Forces Fighting in Kobani

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Thick smoke from an airstrike by the US-led coalition rises in Kobani, Syria, as seen from a hilltop on the outskirts of Suruc, at the Turkey-Syria border, Monday, Oct. 20, 2014
Image: Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press
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By Megan Specia

U.S. forces delivered weapons, ammunition and medical supplies by aerial drop to fighters combatting Islamic State militants in the northern Syrian town of Kobani early Monday.

The town, located just yards from the Turkish border, has been the scene of intense battle between Kurdish forces and ISIS militants, who attacked the area in late September.

See also: How the Media's Focus on Kobani Obscures the War in Syria

Made up of 27 bundles, the airdrops included small arms, ammunition and medical supplies.

In a conference call with reporters after the announcement of the airdrops, senior administration officials said the aid was part of President Obama's broader strategy to degrade ISIS by providing support to Kurdish authorities in Iraq.

The photos below, posted by a journalist reporting from outside Kobani, show some of the supply packages.

According to U.S. Central Command, a stray supply bundle was destroyed during the operation, due to fears that it could end up in the hands of ISIS militants.

Some Kurdish sources in the town have said the airdrops would aid in their defense efforts, according to journalist Jenan Moussa, who is reporting from just outside Kobani.

Speaking during an appearance in Indonesia, Secretary of State John Kerry said providing aid for Kurdish fighters battling ISIS in the town was necessary.

"It would be irresponsible of us, as well morally very difficult, to turn your back on a community fighting ISIL as hard as it is at this particular moment," said Kerry.

Turkish officials say more than 170,000 Kobani residents, most of whom are Kurdish, have fled across the nearby border into Turkey over the past few weeks. Thousands more have fled into the Kurdish region of Iraq, according to UNHCR. Footage from those on the ground shows the severity of the clashes:

The airdrops are intended to be temporary. The U.S. has asked Turkey to allow Kurdish fighters from Iraq into Kobani to help, Kerry said. Turkey's foreign minister said Monday that his country is helping Iraqi Kurdish forces cross into Kobani "to give support" to fellow Kurdish fighters defending the Syrian town against Islamic State militants.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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