Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Huge explosions rock Syrian town of Kobani on Turkish border

Latest explosions come amid reports of US air strikes overnight

Rose Troup Buchanan
Monday 17 November 2014 10:34 EST
Comments
(Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Huge explosions have been seen in the centre of Kobani, as witnesses reported giant “mushrooms” of smoke filling sky above embattled Syrian border town.

Captured on NBC and Sky News it appeared that the explosions were a result of US missiles targeting Isis, also known as the Islamic State, who have been attempting to secure the town.

Kobani, situated in the north of Syria on Turkey’s southern border, has been defended by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers, supported by US air strikes, to the north against Isis fighters attempting to claim the city from the south.

Users took to social media to show pictures of the explosions, although there is little evidence of the damage caused or casualties, with some speculating that the hits were in the Isis-controlled territory and measured “50m radius”.

The latest explosions come as news broke of at least seven international air strikes last night.

Kobani resident Mustefa Ebdi claimed to Al-Arabyia that the blasts could be heard roughly 20 kilometres from town, shaking the cars around him.

Yesterday the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights claimed that over 1,000 people had been killed in the violence around the town.

It estimated that although the majority killed were either Isis fighters or YPG and al-Asayesh fighters, scores of civilians have also been killed in the fighting.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in