US launches new strikes against ISIS in Kobani, activists say

The U.S.-led coalition conducted five airstrikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters in the Syrian city of Kobani overnight, according to Syrian activists there.

{mosads}The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said there were five strikes against ISIS fighters, a move that follows U.S. airdrops of supplies and arms to the Kurdish fighters there.  

Kobani-based activist Farhad Shami told The Associated Press that the airstrikes began Sunday night and continued into Monday morning. 

SOHR expressed hope that the U.S. arms would turn the tide in the battle for the city against ISIS. “Sources reported to SOHR that the balance of power would change in any moment after the YPG got the weapons,” it said in a statement, referring to Syria’s main Kurdish rebel group.  

The U.S. said Sunday that is has conducted 135 airstrikes so far in Kobani, as forces try to hold back ISIS from taking over the city. 

In a move that could further strengthen the Kurdish fighters in the city, Turkey said Monday that it would allow Iraqi Kurds to come through Turkey to enter Kobani, which is near the border, and join the fight. 

Turkey also did not object to the U.S. arms drops, despite Turkey’s conflict with Kurdish separatists in its country.