Kobani Sep 15, 2014-present

1. KobaniSep 15, 2014-present Strategic Context The Syrian Civil War began in March 2011 and quickly become a complicated mess as the number of factions involved multiplied. The Kurdish armed wing in Syria, the People’s Protection Unit (YPG), largely sided with moderate rebel factions such as the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and fought against Bashar al-Assad’s government troops and Islamic extremist factions such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). In spring 2014, ISIS made sweeping advances in Iraq and Syria, becoming the YPG’s main adversary as it captured parts of Syrian Kurdistan. In July 2014, ISIS set its sights on Kurdish-held Kobani, a city along the Turkey-Syria border. The Turkish government is uneasy about the strength of the YPG and the overall Kurdish Democratic Union party (PYD) which unites Kurds in across the region, including those in Turkey. The PYD and others have accused Turkey of aiding ISIS along the Turkey-Syria border. Turkey’s position was further complicated in September when the United States-led Coalition intervened with airstrikes to degrade and destroy ISIS in Syria and Iraq. By November, up to 3,000 ISIS and 40 tanks besiege Kobani, held by 2,000 YPG backed by Coalition aircraft. Stakes + An ISIS victory would consolidate its control of the Turkey-Syria border, establish a land connection between Jarablus and Tel Abyad, and weaken the Coalition’s credibility and resolve. + A YPG victory would preserve the Kurdish autonomy project in Syrian Kurdistan. By Jonathan Webb, 2014

2. Syria Dec 7, 2014

3. Kobani, a former city of 40,000 people 2x3km in size, lays just south of the fortified Turkey-Syria border. The city features narrow streets and buildings up to five stories high, making any combat difficult. Kobani is surrounded by a number of smaller towns in its suburbs, offering the only cover outside the city. There are six roads leading into Kobani, the largest being in the south and west. There are five elevated areas around Kobani, the most significant being Mishtenur Hill in the south, which offers a commanding view of the battlefield. To the north of Mursitpunar, the ground also slopes upwards, giving the Turkish side a good view of the city. The key terrain of the battlefield is the border crossing; it is the YPG’s lifeline for supplies and reinforcements, and ISIS’ overall objective for dominating the region. TURKEY YPG & allies (various) Turks (Erdogan) Mursitpunar Grain silos Border Point Tell Shair SYRIA Haj Rashad Mosque Tall Shair Souq al-Hal Hill Prison Public Park Kobanî / Ayn al-Arab Tell Arab-Pinar Lovers Forest Mazra’at Amud Azadi Square Sharia School Hospital 48th Street Al Hurriya Square Mazra’ah Saghir Cultural Center Minaze Tirmuk Bijan Aleppo Road Mishtenur Hill Qarah Halinj ISIS (Abu Khattab) Radio Tower

4. Dec 10-16 is characterized by more sporadic fighting, and continuing shelling and 22x Coalition airstrikes. In the east, ISIS attempts to infiltrate YPG lines near the Cultural Center Dec 10, 14 and 15, which the YPG repel. ISIS also continues to probe YPG positions near the border crossing Dec 12 with confused reporting of a suicide attack nearby. Overall, the YPG extend their control slightly in the east with small-scale operations, helped by consistent Coalition airstrikes in the city and roads leading into it. In the south. the YPG continue to extend patrols south, cutting the Aleppo-Tirmuk road. The south sees consistent combat throughout the period involving heavy weapons on both sides. YPG advances are supported by Peshmerga artillery and Coalition airstrikes. On Dec 16, ISIS targets Kobani civilians with 50x shells, killing 3x civilians in apparent frustration. Casualties among fighters during this period are very unclear however. YPG & allies ISIS Infantry Infantry Artillery Armour Shelling Shelling Suicide vest Car bomb (inc. suicide) Coalition Turks Airstrike Mechanized infantry Minefield TURKEY YPG & allies (various) Turks (Erdogan) Mursitpunar Grain silos Tell Shair Border Point Haj Rashad Mosque SYRIA Souq al-Hal Tall Shair Hill Prison Public Park Kobanî / Ayn al-Arab Tell Arab-Pinar Lovers Forest Mazra’at Amud Azadi Square Sharia School Hospital 48th Street Al Hurriya Square Mazra’ah Saghir Cultural Center Minaze Tirmuk Aleppo Road Mishtenur Hill Symbol guide Landmarks ISIS (Abu Khattab) Dec 10-16 www.theartofbattle.com Qarah Halinj Radio Tower YPG & allies ISIS Infantry Infantry Artillery Armour Shelling Shelling Suicide vest Car bomb (inc. suicide) Coalition Turks Airstrike Mechanized infantry Minefield

5. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps http://www.theartofbattle.com By Jonathan Webb, 2014