Kobani

Sep 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
Syria Dec 7, 2014
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.

YPG & allies TURKEY Turks

(various) Mursitpunar
Grain silos
(Erdogan)
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
Mazra’at Azadi Square
Forest
Amud
Sharia School

Hospital 48th Street

Al Hurriya
Mazra’ah
Square Cultural
Saghir
Center

Minaze
Tirmuk
Bijan

Aleppo Road
Mishtenur
N Hill

ISIS Qarah
Radio Tower Halinj
(Abu Khattab)
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 TURKEY Turks

(various) Mursitpunar
Grain silos
(Erdogan)
Tell Shair
Border Point
Haj Rashad Mosque
SYRIA

Tall Shair
YPG & allies ISIS Souq al-Hal
Hill
Prison
Infantry Infantry
Public Park Kobanî / Ayn Tell Arab-Pinar
al-Arab
Artillery Lovers
Armour
Mazra’at Azadi Square
Forest
Amud
Shelling Shelling Sharia School

Hospital 48th Street

Al Hurriya
Suicide vest
Square
Mazra’ah
Saghir CarCultural
bomb (inc. suicide)
Center

Coalition
Minaze
Turks
Tirmuk
N
Airstrike Aleppo Road
Mechanized infantry
Symbol guide Mishtenur

Landmarks
Minefield Hill

ISIS
(Abu Khattab) Dec 10-16 www.theartofbattle.com
Radio Tower
Qarah
Halinj
 The Art of Battle:
Animated Battle Maps
http://www.theartofbattle.com
By Jonathan Webb, 2014