Amak News Agency published a video suggesting that the B-1B Lancer carried out airstrikes in and around Kobane, a Syrian Kurdish town under siege by Islamic State.
Early in the morning of 07OCT14, US airstrikes targeted key Islamic State positions around the Syrian-Turkish border town. According to video uploaded to youtube by Syria’s Amak News Agency, these strikes were carried out, inter alia, by the B-1B Lancer. Satellite imagery shows the Lancer deployed to the Deid in Qatar.
The town, under siege since 15 September, has become a target of Turkish diplomatic efforts culminating in a request for US military intervention. Turkey has been reluctant to intervene on behalf of the town since it was taken over by the Kurdish militia, the YPG, back in July 2012. The YPG has a relationship with the PKK, and both are considered terrorist groups.
Although Turkey reportedly requested assistance, the strikes may have been only a matter of time. Last Wednesday locals captured the sight of a US Predator drone orbiting overhead possibly collecting intelligence on Islamic State positions. This follows a similar report from Al Raqqa in early September.
Regardless, US strikes found their targets according to a recent report from US Central Command.
One airstrike south of Kobani destroyed three ISIL armed vehicles and damaged another; another strike southeast of Kobani destroyed an ISIL armed vehicle carrying anti-aircraft artillery. Two airstrikes southwest of Kobani damaged an ISIL tank; another airstrike south of Kobani destroyed an ISIL unit.
Compared to what has been observed on georeferenced video, it would appear the US was cutting off the supply lines to Islamic State militant positions.
Turkish Tanks in Mürşitpınar
While airstrikes alone can’t solve this conflict, it is perhaps the very least to be done. Turkey has openly stated that it would not intervene in Kobane unless it was a part of a broader coalition whose ultimate goal would be the removal of the Assad regime. Turkey has clearly stated that limited military operations are not in its interests.
Until the US changes its tune, Turkish tank crews will continue to look on as bombs and airstrikes demolish the border town and degrade the YPG in the process.
