Iraqi Kurdish forces have finally crossed into Syria from Turkey to help Syrian Kurds defend Kobani, the border town beseiged by ISIL.<br /><br />The peshmerga (those who defy death) were prevented from entering for two days as they – and their armoured vehicles and artillery – were seen as an easy target for the militants.<br /><br />Their presence marks the first time Ankara has allowed ground troops to reinforce Syrian Kurds.<br /><br />Speaking in Paris, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the international coalition to strike other parts of Syria, not just Kobani.<br /><br />“The issue of Kobani. Why Kobani? Why not other towns like Idlib, Hama or Homs, or why not even Deir al-Zor? Why not Iraq, 40 per cent of which is occupied right now?” said Erdogan.<br /><br />Damascus has condemned Turkey for allowing foreign fighters and so-called “terrorists” on Syrian soil.<br /><br />Syrian Kurds have been battling ISIL for more than 40 days.<br /><br />The US military says it damaged four ISIL positions over the past two days.<br /><br />The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 21 ISIL fighters were killed in the latest air strikes.
