January 27, 2015 5:24 PM EST
C rowds of people celebrated on Tuesday after Kurdish fighters declared victory over the militants of Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) for control of the Syrian town of Kobani. It’s seen as more of a symbolic win than a strategic turning-point in the conflict, as the group still holds large swathes of Iraq and Syria.
Read next : ISIS Still Strong Despite Major Defeat in Kobani
Kurdish people celebrate the declared victory over ISIS for control of Kobani near the Turkish-Syrian border in Suruc, Turkey, on Jan. 27, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images Kurdish attend a celebration rally near the Turkish-Syrian border in Suruc, Turkey, on Jan. 27, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images Kurdish people celebrate the declared victory over ISIS for control of Kobani near the Turkish-Syrian border in Suruc, Turkey, Jan. 27, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images Kurdish people attend a celebration rally near the Turkish-Syrian border in Suruc, Turkey, on Jan. 27, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images Kurdish women attend a celebration rally near the Turkish-Syrian border in Suruc, Turkey, on Jan. 27, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images A man holds up a scarf at a celebration rally near the Turkish-Syrian border in Suruc, Turkey, on Jan. 27, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images Syrian Kurdish women sit with their children near the Turkish-Syrian border in Suruc, Turkey, on Jan. 27, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images A Kurdish woman stands near the Turkish-Syrian border in Suruc, Turkey, on Jan. 27, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images More Must-Reads from TIME Donald Trump Is TIME's 2024 Person of the Year Why We Chose Trump as Person of the Year Is Intermittent Fasting Good or Bad for You? The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024 The 20 Best Christmas TV Episodes Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision