Iraqi Kurdish forces arrived Saturday in the embattled Syrian town of Kobani with heavy weaponry to help fend off attacks by the militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS).
The reinforcements from the Kurdish fighters known as the peshmerga could help turn the tide in a siege that has been raging for more than 40 days. Kurdish officials expect the fighters to take part in military action in Kobani immediately, Reuters reports.
“What was lacking is the weapons and ammunition, so the arrival of more of it plus the fighters will help tip the balance of the battle,” said Idris Nassan, deputy foreign minister of Kobani district.
Kobani occupies a strategic position on the Turkish border that would allow ISIS to control much of the region.
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